From tomorrow, more than 200,000 Kiwis will be better off following the Government's decision to raise the minimum wage to $17.70.
It's welcome news for Chevy-Lee Morrison, who works as a cleaner at OCS.
Ms Morrison says the increase will be "quite a big advantage", making her one step closer to "owning my own home" and achieving her goals.
The country's lowest-paid workers will receive an increase of $1.20 an hour, or $48 more per week for a 40-hour working week.
New Zealand's Household Economic Survey showed one third of respondents said their current household income was either not enough or only just enough to meet their everyday needs.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says the Government is "improving the wellbeing and living standards of all New Zealanders", adding that Kiwis "deserve to be paid appropriately" for their work.
While National agrees wages need to rise, its leader Simon Bridges says the increases are too large.
"I think what the real worry here is the fast and quick nature of this. When you have a slowing down economy, I think slow and sure is a better way to go," Mr Bridges said.
The Government has indicated minimum wage rates of $18.90, to come into effect on April 1, 2020, and $20 to come into effect the same time the following year.
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