Rt Hon Winston Peters, New Zealand First Leader
A minimum wage increase of $1.20 for 200,000 hard-working New Zealanders and their families will take effect from today.
"We believe Kiwis are entitled to a fair day's pay for a fair day's work and we are delivering better conditions for workers, sharing the prosperity from our economy with all New Zealanders," says New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters.
The minimum wage rise to $17.70 an hour is the second in a series of increases with the next minimum wage increase provisionally scheduled to rise to $18.90 in April 2020 and $20.00 in April 2021. Increasing the minimum wage to $20 an hour is a core New Zealand First policy within the coalition agreement.
"New Zealand First has a proven record of supporting minimum wage earners through the highest minimum wage increases in New Zealand history as part of the 2005 confidence and supply agreement and 2017 coalition agreement between New Zealand First and Labour," says Mr Peters
"Today, we also see rollouts reducing costs and empowering businesses. $100 million reduction in ACC levies over two years will keep more money in businesses pockets. The $1 billion Research and Development tax credit supports business growth, encouraging productive investment and modernising the economy.
"Businesses are also well supported through other incentives such as the Provincial Growth Fund and Mana in Mahi (Strength in Work) training programme," says Mr Peters
