Stats

New Zealand work in numbers

The figures that matter to a job hunt and a working life, from Stats NZ, Inland Revenue, the Ministry of Social Development and Employment New Zealand. Every one says where it comes from and when we last checked it, most recently 24 September 2026.

Next change for workers: 1 April 2027. The new tax year. Benefit rates are adjusted for prices every year on this date, and any change to tax thresholds, the minimum wage, the ACC earner levy or student loan settings takes effect with it. Every date ahead
5.6%
New Zealand's unemployment rate
Image to share
$61,958
The median wage or salary income in New Zealand, a year
Image to share
$23.95
The adult minimum wage, an hour
Image to share
440,000
New Zealanders who want more work than they have
Image to share
218,481
People on Jobseeker Support
Image to share
4 weeks
Paid annual leave, the legal minimum, on each work anniversary
Image to share

Read more

Jobs and unemploymentUnemployment back to 1986, underutilisation, youth and long-term unemployment, Jobseeker Support and when people move into work.Pay in numbersWhat New Zealanders earn, where a salary sits against everybody else's, take-home pay at common salaries, and the minimum wage.Key dates, 2026 to 2028Every change coming for workers, with its date: the new tax year, paid parental leave, KiwiSaver, and the new leave law.Leave and work rights in numbersThe leave the law gives today, what changes when the Employment Leave Act starts, and Jobseeker Support rates.

Free to use with credit to the original source. Each page has a line to cite and an image of each headline figure to share. For your own numbers (your pay after tax, your leave, your pay review), jobtracker.co.nz works them out.