Minimum wage rates are going up. The new minimum wage rates take effect on 1 April 2015.

The adult minimum wage rate (before tax) that applies to employees aged 16 or over will increase to $14.75 an hour, which is:

• $118.00 for an 8-hour day, or
• $590.00 for a 40-hour week.

The Starting-out wage and the training minimum wage rates (before tax) will increase to $11.80 an hour, which is:

• $94.40 for an 8-hour day or
• $472.00 for a 40-hour week.

The Starting-out wage applies to:

• 16- and 17-year-olds in their first six months of work with a new employer (or until they are training or supervising others)
• 18- and 19-year-olds who have been paid a benefit for six months or longer, and who have not completed six months of continuous work with any employer since starting on benefit (or until they are training or supervising others)
• 16- to 19-year-old workers in a recognised industry training course involving at least 40 credits a year.

The training minimum wage applies to employees aged 20 years or over who are doing recognised industry training involving at least 60 credits a year as part of their employment agreement, in order to become qualified.

For more information on minimum wage rates or call 0800 20 90 20.

Changes to Paid Parental Leave

Changes to Paid Parental Leave will come into effect on 1 April 2015.

These changes extend the maximum amount payable from 14 to 16 weeks. The changes apply to an employee or self-employed person if:

• the expected date of delivery of their child is on or after 1 April 2015, but the child is born before that date or;
• the child is born on or after 1 April 2015; or
• in the case of adoption, if the date on which the carer assumes the care of the child is on or after 1 April 2015.

More information on Paid Parental Leave available on our website or call 0800 20 90 20.

(Source Ministery of Business, Innovation & Employment)