Wages in New Zealand increased to 42.85 NZD/Hour in the first quarter of 2025 from 42.64 NZD/Hour in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - New Zealand Average Hourly Wages - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

New Zealand NZ: Wages Index: % Change data was reported at 1.748 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.596 % for 2016. New Zealand NZ: Wages Index: % Change data is updated yearly, averaging 1.950 % from Dec 1993 (Median) to 2017, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 101.550 % in 1993 and a record low of 1.139 % in 1994. New Zealand NZ: Wages Index: % Change data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.IMF.IFS: Wages, Labour Cost and Employment Index: Annual.

Key information about New Zealand Monthly Earnings

• New Zealand Monthly Earnings stood at 3,902 USD in Dec 2024, compared with the previous figure of 3,962 USD in Sep 2024
• New Zealand Monthly Earnings data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1989 to Dec 2024, with an average number of 2,275 USD
• The data reached the an all-time high of 3,962 USD in Sep 2024 and a record low of 1,117 USD in Dec 2000

CEIC calculates Monthly Earnings from Average Weekly Earnings multiplied by 4 and converts it into USD. Stats NZ provides Average Weekly Earnings in local currency. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Average Weekly Earnings are calculated by dividing earnings by the number of full-time equivalent employees, taking into account their hours of workload.


Further information about New Zealand Monthly Earnings

• In the latest reports, New Zealand Population reached 5 million people in Dec 2024
• Unemployment Rate of New Zealand increased to 5 % in Dec 2024
• The country's Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 71 % in Dec 2024

Key information about New Zealand Household Income per Capita

• New Zealand Annual Household Income per Capita reached 30,529.095 USD in Jun 2024, compared with the previous value of 28,969.713 USD in Jun 2023.
• New Zealand Annual Household Income per Capita data is updated yearly, available from Jun 2007 to Jun 2024, with an averaged value of 24,380.121 USD.
• The data reached an all-time high of 30,529.095 USD in Jun 2024 and a record low of 16,283.555 USD in Jun 2009.
• In the latest reports, Retail Sales of New Zealand grew 0.362 % YoY in Dec 2024.

CEIC calculates Annual Household Income per Capita from Average Household Income, Number of Households and Total Population and converts it into USD. Stats NZ provides Average Household Income in local currency, Number of Households and Total Population. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions.

Wages in New Zealand increased 2.50 percent in March of 2025 over the same month in the previous year. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for New Zealand Wage Growth.

New Zealand has one of the highest house price-to-income ratios in the world; nonetheless, since the first quarter of 2022, the country's house price-to-income ratio started to trend downward. In the third quarter of 2024, the ratio was 118, a slight decrease from the same quarter of the previous year. This ratio was calculated by dividing nominal house prices by nominal disposable income per head and is considered a measure of affordability. Homeownership dream New Zealand has been in what is widely considered a housing bubble. The disproportionately large increases in residential house prices have placed the dream of owning their own home out of reach for many in the country. In 2024, around 28 percent of residential properties were sold for over a million New Zealand dollars. The majority of mortgage lending in the country went to owner-occupiers where the property was not their first home, with first-home buyers often struggling to secure a loan. In general, only New Zealand residents and citizens can buy homes in the country to live in, with new regulations tightening investment activity in that market. Rent affordability Due to New Zealand's high property prices, many individuals and families are stuck renting for prolonged periods. However, with rent prices increasing across the country and the share of monthly income spent on rent trending upwards in tandem with a highly competitive rental market, renting is becoming a less appealing prospect for many. The Auckland and Bay of Plenty regions had the highest weekly rent prices across the country as of December 2024, with the Southland region recording the lowest rent prices per week.

New Zealand Median Annual Household Disposable Income data was reported at 86,257.000 NZD in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 81,945.000 NZD for 2023. New Zealand Median Annual Household Disposable Income data is updated yearly, averaging 60,369.000 NZD from Jun 2007 (Median) to 2024, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 86,257.000 NZD in 2024 and a record low of 43,113.000 NZD in 2007. New Zealand Median Annual Household Disposable Income data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Stats NZ. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.H026: Annual Household Income.

The household economic survey (HES) is an annual survey designed to measure the economic wellbeing of New Zealanders. HES has three components: HES income, HES expenditure, and HES net worth. - HES income is the main vehicle, and it is run every year. It includes household income, housing costs, and material wellbeing – this is ‘core’ HES. - HES expenditure includes additional components – an expenditure diary and an expanded household expenditure questionnaire. It runs every three years. - HES net worth includes additional questions on household assets and liabilities. It also runs every three years.

The net income of Chorus NZ with headquarters in New Zealand amounted to -9 million New Zealand dollars in 2024. The reported fiscal year ends on June 30.Compared to the earliest depicted value from 2020 this is a total decrease by approximately 61 million New Zealand dollars. The trend from 2020 to 2024 shows, however, that this decrease did not happen continuously.

The net income of Mercury NZ with headquarters in New Zealand amounted to 290 million New Zealand dollars in 2024. The reported fiscal year ends on June 30.Compared to the earliest depicted value from 2020 this is a total increase by approximately 81 million New Zealand dollars. The trend from 2020 to 2024 shows, however, that this increase did not happen continuously.

New Zealand NZ: GDP: USD: Gross National Income per Capita: Atlas Method data was reported at 38,970.000 USD in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 38,560.000 USD for 2017. New Zealand NZ: GDP: USD: Gross National Income per Capita: Atlas Method data is updated yearly, averaging 13,785.000 USD from Mar 1973 (Median) to 2018, with 46 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 41,490.000 USD in 2015 and a record low of 2,990.000 USD in 1973. New Zealand NZ: GDP: USD: Gross National Income per Capita: Atlas Method data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.World Bank: Gross Domestic Product: Nominal. GNI per capita (formerly GNP per capita) is the gross national income, converted to U.S. dollars using the World Bank Atlas method, divided by the midyear population. GNI is the sum of value added by all resident producers plus any product taxes (less subsidies) not included in the valuation of output plus net receipts of primary income (compensation of employees and property income) from abroad. GNI, calculated in national currency, is usually converted to U.S. dollars at official exchange rates for comparisons across economies, although an alternative rate is used when the official exchange rate is judged to diverge by an exceptionally large margin from the rate actually applied in international transactions. To smooth fluctuations in prices and exchange rates, a special Atlas method of conversion is used by the World Bank. This applies a conversion factor that averages the exchange rate for a given year and the two preceding years, adjusted for differences in rates of inflation between the country, and through 2000, the G-5 countries (France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States). From 2001, these countries include the Euro area, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.; ; World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.; Weighted Average;

New Zealand Average Annual Household Gross Income data was reported at 134,599.000 NZD in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 126,370.000 NZD for 2023. New Zealand Average Annual Household Gross Income data is updated yearly, averaging 88,777.500 NZD from Jun 2007 (Median) to 2024, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 134,599.000 NZD in 2024 and a record low of 66,458.000 NZD in 2007. New Zealand Average Annual Household Gross Income data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Stats NZ. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.H026: Annual Household Income.

New Zealand NZ: Wages Index data was reported at 114.650 2010=100 in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 114.061 2010=100 for Mar 2018. New Zealand NZ: Wages Index data is updated quarterly, averaging 87.437 2010=100 from Dec 1992 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 103 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 114.650 2010=100 in Jun 2018 and a record low of 68.681 2010=100 in Dec 1992. New Zealand NZ: Wages Index data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.IMF.IFS: Wages, Labour Cost and Employment Index: Quarterly.

New Zealand Average Annual Household Disposable Income data was reported at 104,567.000 NZD in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 98,878.000 NZD for 2023. New Zealand Average Annual Household Disposable Income data is updated yearly, averaging 72,209.000 NZD from Jun 2007 (Median) to 2024, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 104,567.000 NZD in 2024 and a record low of 51,330.000 NZD in 2007. New Zealand Average Annual Household Disposable Income data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Stats NZ. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.H026: Annual Household Income.

Dataset contains counts and measures for households from the 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses. Data is available by statistical area 1.

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The variables included in this dataset are for households in occupied private dwellings (unless otherwise stated). All data is for level 1 of the classification (unless otherwise stated):

• Count of households in occupied private dwellings
• Access to telecommunication systems (total responses)
• Household crowding index for levels 1 and 2
• Household composition
• Number of usual residents in household
• Average number of usual residents in household
• Number of motor vehicles
• Sector of landlord for households in rented occupied private dwellings
• Tenure of household
• Total household income
• Median ($) total household income
• Weekly rent paid by household for households in rented occupied private dwellings
• Median ($) weekly rent paid by household for households in rented occupied private dwellings.

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Download lookup file from Stats NZ ArcGIS Online or embedded attachment in Stats NZ geographic data service. Download data table (excluding the geometry column for CSV files) using the instructions in the Koordinates help guide.

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Footnotes

Geographical boundaries

Statistical standard for geographic areas 2023 (updated December 2023) has information about geographic boundaries as of 1 January 2023. Address data from 2013 and 2018 Censuses was updated to be consistent with the 2023 areas. Due to the changes in area boundaries and coding methodologies, 2013 and 2018 counts published in 2023 may be slightly different to those published in 2013 or 2018.

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Caution using time series

Time series data should be interpreted with care due to changes in census methodology and differences in response rates between censuses. The 2023 and 2018 Censuses used a combined census methodology (using census responses and administrative data), while the 2013 Census used a full-field enumeration methodology (with no use of administrative data).

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About the 2023 Census dataset

For information on the 2023 dataset see Using a combined census model for the 2023 Census. We combined data from the census forms with administrative data to create the 2023 Census dataset, which meets Stats NZ's quality criteria for population structure information. We added real data about real people to the dataset where we were confident the people who hadn’t completed a census form (which is known as admin enumeration) will be counted. We also used data from the 2018 and 2013 Censuses, administrative data sources, and statistical imputation methods to fill in some missing characteristics of people and dwellings.

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Data quality

The quality of data in the 2023 Census is assessed using the quality rating scale and the quality assurance framework to determine whether data is fit for purpose and suitable for release. Data quality assurance in the 2023 Census has more information.

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Concept descriptions and quality ratings

Data quality ratings for 2023 Census variables has additional details about variables found within totals by topic, for example, definitions and data quality.

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Household crowding

Household crowding is based on the Canadian National Occupancy Standard (CNOS). It calculates the number of bedrooms needed based on the demographic composition of the household. The household crowding index methodology for 2023 Census has been updated to use gender instead of sex. Household crowding should be used with caution for small geographical areas due to high volatility between census years as a result of population change and urban development. There may be additional volatility in areas affected by the cyclone, particularly in Gisborne and Hawke's Bay. Household crowding index – 2023 Census has details on how the methodology has changed, differences from 2018 Census, and more.

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Using data for good

Stats NZ expects that, when working with census data, it is done so with a positive purpose, as outlined in the Māori Data Governance Model (Data Iwi Leaders Group, 2023). This model states that "data should support transformative outcomes and should uplift and strengthen our relationships with each other and with our environments. The avoidance of harm is the minimum expectation for data use. Māori data should also contribute to iwi and hapū tino rangatiratanga”.

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Confidentiality

The 2023 Census confidentiality rules have been applied to 2013, 2018, and 2023 data. These rules protect the confidentiality of individuals, families, households, dwellings, and undertakings in 2023 Census data. Counts are calculated using fixed random rounding to base 3 (FRR3) and suppression of ‘sensitive’ counts less than six, where tables report multiple geographic variables and/or small populations. Individual figures may not always sum to stated totals. Applying confidentiality rules to 2023 Census data and summary of changes since 2018 and 2013 Censuses has more information about 2023 Census confidentiality rules.

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Measures

Measures like averages, medians, and other quantiles are calculated from unrounded counts, with input noise added to or subtracted from each contributing value during measures calculations. Averages and medians based on less than six units (e.g. individuals, dwellings, households, families, or extended families) are suppressed. This suppression threshold changes for other quantiles. Where the cells have been suppressed, a placeholder value has been used.

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Percentages

To calculate percentages, divide the figure for the category of interest by the figure for 'Total stated' where this applies.

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Symbol

-997 Not available

-999 Confidential

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Inconsistencies in definitions

Please note that there may be differences in definitions between census classifications and those used for other data collections.

Household net worth statistics aims to provide a picture of the net worth (wealth) of New Zealanders, by looking at their household assets and liabilities – financial and non-financial.

New Zealand Median Annual Household Gross Income data was reported at 105,278.000 NZD in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 99,278.000 NZD for 2023. New Zealand Median Annual Household Gross Income data is updated yearly, averaging 70,670.000 NZD from Jun 2007 (Median) to 2024, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 105,278.000 NZD in 2024 and a record low of 52,887.000 NZD in 2007. New Zealand Median Annual Household Gross Income data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Stats NZ. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.H026: Annual Household Income.

The labour market statistics information release combines data from three surveys to present a broad picture of the labour market.

From the Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS) we provide a picture of New Zealand's labour force – these statistics relate to employment, unemployment, and people not in the labour force.

The Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) estimates the demand for labour by New Zealand businesses – the levels and changes in employment, total weekly gross earnings, total weekly paid hours, average hourly and average weekly earnings, and average weekly paid hours in the industries we survey.

The Labour Cost Index (LCI) measures changes in salary and wage rates for a fixed quantity and quality of labour input. It is a measure of wage inflation, reflecting changes in the rates that employers pay to have the same job done to the same standard.

New Zealand Average Annual Household Equivalised Disposable Income data was reported at 46,218.000 NZD in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 44,156.000 NZD for 2023. New Zealand Average Annual Household Equivalised Disposable Income data is updated yearly, averaging 32,513.500 NZD from Jun 2007 (Median) to 2024, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 46,218.000 NZD in 2024 and a record low of 24,526.000 NZD in 2008. New Zealand Average Annual Household Equivalised Disposable Income data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Stats NZ. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.H026: Annual Household Income.

New Zealand NZ: Price to Income Ratio: sa data was reported at 117.981 2015=100 in Sep 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 120.692 2015=100 for Jun 2024. New Zealand NZ: Price to Income Ratio: sa data is updated quarterly, averaging 79.512 2015=100 from Mar 1986 (Median) to Sep 2024, with 155 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 143.218 2015=100 in Dec 2021 and a record low of 46.765 2015=100 in Mar 1987. New Zealand NZ: Price to Income Ratio: sa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.OECD.AHPI: House Price Index: Seasonally Adjusted: OECD Member: Quarterly. Nominal house prices divided by nominal disposable income per head. Net household disposable income is used. The population data come from the OECD national accounts database.