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The minimum wage went up about 7% to $22.70 on April 1, while the living wage will rise by 9.9% to $26 from September 1 this year.
Both changes reflect New Zealand's high cost of living at the moment, but the two figures are set by different people and they have different impacts on different… View moreThe minimum wage went up about 7% to $22.70 on April 1, while the living wage will rise by 9.9% to $26 from September 1 this year.
Both changes reflect New Zealand's high cost of living at the moment, but the two figures are set by different people and they have different impacts on different groups of Kiwis. Here's what it all means.
What is the minimum wage?
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The minimum wage is a legal obligation, set by the government and reviewed each year. It applies to most employees aged 16 years or over, and it's the lowest amount an employer can pay their employee (before tax).
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment estimates about 222,900 people will see their pay rise with the latest hike.
As well as the adult minimum wage, there's a starting-out minimum wage — now $18.16 — for some 16 to 19-year-old employees who haven't been with their current employer for six continuous months yet, or are still undertaking industry training. It is 80% of the adult minimum wage.
But "if an employee is supervising or training other workers, then the starting-out minimum wage doesn't apply and they must be paid at least the adult minimum wage", the Employment NZ website clarifies.
There's also a training minimum wage — also $18.16 — for certain employees, including many apprentices, who are over 20 and undergoing an approved industry training programme.
It doesn't apply to employees who are being trained at work, and again, it doesn't apply to employees supervising or training others.
Are there any exceptions to the rule?
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Not everyone's pay rate is covered by the legislation that sets the minimum wage.
Migrant workers have the same minimum employment rights as Kiwi workers, but a small number of people with disabilities that affect their work are paid less than the minimum wage.
There is no minimum wage for employees under 16, while "inmates of any charitable institution (who aren't living there just because they're employees) who do any work as inmates" are also exempt, as are prisoners working while in custody.
How's the living wage different?
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The living wage is an opt-in rate, released by a group called the Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand.
In their words, the living wage "means thriving, not just surviving".
It's currently $23.65, and accredited living wage employers pledge to pay at least that amount to all staff and regular contractors.
Like the minimum wage, the cost of living is a key factor in how it's calculated. It is worked out independently, using the latest data and movement in New Zealand’s average hourly earnings.
Living wage employers must meet certain criteria.
How have the two been tracking?
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Both wages have been rising for years, with the current hikes coming as inflation is close to a 32-year high at 7.2%.
The minimum wage was set at just $8.50 two decades ago, from March 24, 2003.
It hit $13 on April 1, 2011, and rose steadily from there before reaching $20 for the first time on April 1, 2021.
The first living wage in New Zealand was set at $18.40 in 2013. At the time, the minimum wage was $13.75.
The living wage cleared $20 within a few years, set at $20.20 in 2017.
Since September 1 last year, it's been $23.65, and the new rate later this year will be the first time it's cleared $25.
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Bring out the best in your home.
Get 20% off Resene premium paints, stains, wallpapers and accessories, on now at Resene ColorShops!
Hurry Resene sale ends Tuesday 11th April.
Shop online at shop.resene.co.nz or visit your local Resene ColorShop.
Hello, I'm a student journalist and I'm doing a story about the online supermarket Supie! If you shop with them I'd love to ask you some quick questions about potential developments and what you'd want to see from them. Get in touch if you're up for that, 021902338 or … View moreHello, I'm a student journalist and I'm doing a story about the online supermarket Supie! If you shop with them I'd love to ask you some quick questions about potential developments and what you'd want to see from them. Get in touch if you're up for that, 021902338 or dyl.p.jones@gmail.com
Would you like to be part of a forum to co-design the future of programmes and services to be offered by the Avondale Library and Community Hub?
We are looking for a maximum of 30 people from the disabled and access community to engage in a deliberative democracy process, to ensure this … View moreWould you like to be part of a forum to co-design the future of programmes and services to be offered by the Avondale Library and Community Hub?
We are looking for a maximum of 30 people from the disabled and access community to engage in a deliberative democracy process, to ensure this community building meets diverse needs. The forums will be held at the Te Atatu Peninsula Community Centre from 12-4pm on Tuesday 9 May and Tuesday 23 May 2023 and you will receive payment for each session.
If you are interested in taking part in planning for the future of the Avondale community email tehonoforums@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to request an expression of interest form. Expressions of Interest must be received by 5pm Thursday 6 April 2023.
Hi,
beautiful persian cross breed kittens, available. They are very fluffy, soft, playful, toilet trained. Used to other cats and kids. Proceeds from this sale will go towards getting our other cats fixed.
Be in to win an experience of a lifetime for your child.
As the official coin toss partner for the Blues, Stuff is giving away six experiences for kids across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to take part in the famous ritual at the DHL Super Rugby Pacific and SKY Super Rugby Aupiki home games.
… View moreBe in to win an experience of a lifetime for your child.
As the official coin toss partner for the Blues, Stuff is giving away six experiences for kids across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to take part in the famous ritual at the DHL Super Rugby Pacific and SKY Super Rugby Aupiki home games.
They won't just participate in the toss but will also get to watch the game, visit the commentary box and take home a bunch of goodies.
Is your school, sports team, charity or organisation in need of extra space? Apply for 1 of 8 sponsorship packages of $10,000 cash + 2 free storage units for a year.
At National Mini Storage, we’re on a mission to help our Auckland communities get the space they so greatly need. That’s why … View moreIs your school, sports team, charity or organisation in need of extra space? Apply for 1 of 8 sponsorship packages of $10,000 cash + 2 free storage units for a year.
At National Mini Storage, we’re on a mission to help our Auckland communities get the space they so greatly need. That’s why we’ve launched our Creating Space sponsorships, offering over $120,000 in cash grants and storage.
I'm looking for recommendations for someone local who will trim lower branches of trees and overgrown shrubs. Someone who will actually turn up after they agree to look at what's needed would be good.
Thanks
Winter jacket. Extremely comfortable and warm. Has a hood at the back as well. Water resistant. Large size.
$8 each for single side. I have several colours of vinyl available (white, rose gold, yellow, red, green, blue, orange). I will send you a screen shot before I print to make sure you are happy with it.
Daylight saving ends overnight when clocks roll back an hour as the winter months approach.
While moving your clocks, Fire and Emergency also encourages households to check their smoke alarms.
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www.1news.co.nz...
… View moreDaylight saving ends overnight when clocks roll back an hour as the winter months approach.
While moving your clocks, Fire and Emergency also encourages households to check their smoke alarms.
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www.1news.co.nz...
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Spoil the Mum in your life with a subscription to NZ’s favourite gardening magazine.
For only $79 get 12 issues of NZ Gardener PLUS 5 Oriental Lily Bulbs worth $17 RRP from NZ Bulbs. Since 1957, NZ Bulbs has been supplying top quality bulbs to New Zealand gardeners. This family-owned business… View moreSpoil the Mum in your life with a subscription to NZ’s favourite gardening magazine.
For only $79 get 12 issues of NZ Gardener PLUS 5 Oriental Lily Bulbs worth $17 RRP from NZ Bulbs. Since 1957, NZ Bulbs has been supplying top quality bulbs to New Zealand gardeners. This family-owned business has shipped hundreds of spring and summer flowering bulbs and tubers all over New Zealand from their base near Feilding.
Offer valid until 11:59pm 14 May 2023. For full terms and conditions click here.
Happy Mother’s Day
"You’re proving Marama correct, white cis males are driving hatred of trans people" was levelled against someone on this forum who likes to troll … funnily enough Posie Parker (to my knowledge) isn't a "white cis-male", and neither do I have a problem with "LGBTQ … View more"You’re proving Marama correct, white cis males are driving hatred of trans people" was levelled against someone on this forum who likes to troll … funnily enough Posie Parker (to my knowledge) isn't a "white cis-male", and neither do I have a problem with "LGBTQ and the whole bloody alphabet" people - and I'm white, male, and cis.
I once had a discussion with a black guy from the States who was quite racist in his comments, against both white and Asian people - and when challenged stated that "Only white people can be racist!" - oh the irony of that.
When I hear what Marama said and how others try to "protect" her then I have to think of that black guy. Marama didn't make a mistake, it wasn't due to the bike, she simply spoke unguarded from the heart - and what she said was racist.
It would have been better to own up to the fact that EVERYONE is SOMETHING based on our history and experiences. Racism is build in because it is the "fear of the unknown" - you will ALWAYS fear a stranger more than someone you know (just ask yourself if you would leave your wallet with them), whether it is justified or not (and the vast majority of sexual assaults is actually done by people you know).
The question is not whether someone is racist or not, the question is how they face it. For example in a small village in Germany the asylum seekers were treated with suspicion - so they organised a meeting in the town hall that was very well attended, broke the ice, and made "strangers" simply human. The more you understand other people and races, the less racist you become. When you realise that that nice guy you like to talk with is gay then homophobia starts looking silly.
Marama (and her supporters) had the chance to put this simple fact at the center of the discussion - instead they chose to dig their heels in, make excuses, and went on the attack. Not the mark of a leader, and not smart at all: the "vast majority" of abuse is committed by "white cis males"? First off: the murder statistic they showed as evidence is a 70% male, 30% female split - that's roughly 2:1. Not exactly what I would call a "vast majority" (especially as men seem to prefer bashing someone's head in or shooting them which is hard to pass off as a natural death, while poisoning which can be hard to detect is the favourite method used by women). And if you want to know how "white" males are doing - then you need to analyse it as a proportion of the population (eg compare the numbers of murders committed by white / black / Maori / Pacific / Asian etc men in proportion to their number in the population) - you might find something that isn't quite politically correct but puts the emphasis on the fact that social deprivation increases stress which causes more violence.
See for example www.stuff.co.nz...
Which brings me back to something that I noticed back in 1999 - New Zealanders like to put emphasis on "race" when they should simply deal with the problem. If back then they would have said "We need to help the poor get out of poverty" then nobody would have objected even if the policy would have helped Maori the most - instead they said "We need to help the Maori to get out of poverty" (eg free Health Mobile for Maori, allowed to study Medicine if 1/8th Maori, etc) which drove a wedge into New Zealand (instead of bringing them together as “Kiwis” with an appreciation of the different cultural contributions like it is in Europe) and made race a much more important factor. Unsurprisingly the Maori formed their own party, and nowadays you have election posters showing "Maori" with a check mark - should you really vote for someone because of his or her race? That has echoes of Apartheid in South Africa (I never thought I'd agree with Winston Peters but he lambasted that policy because it "stole" Maori pride and depicted them as people who can't do it on their own if just given a fair chance).
And what Marama is doing is exactly the same - put race into the discussion about violence against women. That is stupid and counter-productive. It detracts from what the problem is: abuse of others. And as Posie Parker and many religious groups ("conversion therapy" anyone?) show - it is not just males, never mind white or cis.
Stop abuse - and keep your “culture wars” to yourself.
P.S. Marama has history on that method: www.stuff.co.nz...
📣 As we move to recovery, select areas within our west coast regional parks will be re-opening on Saturday 1 April, but many, including Muriwai regional park and Piha, remain closed with cordons in place.
ℹ️ Click on 'Read More' for the full list.
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