The living wage has increased by 90c, to $23.65 an hour.

The new rate, which took effect on September 1, includes workers contracted on a regular and ongoing basis to, or working for, more than 300 accredited employers.

The wage is designed to represent the amount of money required for workers to fully participate in society.

“We believe all workers deserve a Living Wage and we’ve found over 300 employers around the country willing to join us by paying their staff and contractors this rate ensuring their workers can afford the necessities of life,” says Living Wage spokesperson, Felicia Scherrer.

Being accredited means the business must pay all directly and indirectly employed employees at least the Living Wage.

The rate for the Living Wage is calculated by Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit coordinator and lead researcher Charles Waldegrave.

The rate of $23.65 is 68 per cent of the average hourly earnings in New Zealand, which were $34.76 for the year to June 2021.

Accredited Living Wage Employers range from large organisations such as banks and law firms, to smaller businesses producing anything from coffee to chocolate, both social and environmental agencies.

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