Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand

The Living Wage Movement is a collaboration of faith groups, community organisations and unions.

Many of us are low-waged workers, or people who deal directly with the impacts of poverty in our communities. We’re diverse, but share a common view – that the Living Wage is one way to lift working people from poverty and inequality. We’re in cities and towns across Aotearoa, championing the Living Wage. We work with central and local government, asking them to lead the way, and pay their workers the Living Wage. We promote and support Living Wage Employers, and call on more industries to get on board.

The Living Wage is independently calculated, using the latest data.

We need to be confident that the Living Wage does what we say. That’s why it’s calculated using the latest data, and movement in New Zealand’s average hourly earnings. For a sound and independent figure, the New Zealand Family Centre Social Policy Unit conducts the calculation of the rate, and provides this to the Living Wage Movement.

The Living Wage Movement offers Living Wage Employer accreditation. Employers go through a robust accreditation process so they can use the Living Wage Employer logo and call themselves a 'Living Wage Employer'.​ You can be sure an accredited Living Wage Employer pays the current Living Wage rate to all staff and regular contractors. ​Living Wage Employers also contribute to our community advocacy and campaign work, helping to lift even more working people out of poverty.