The Minimum Wage will rise on 1st April 2014. The Government has announced that effective 1st April 2014, the minimum wage will rise from $13.75 to $14.25 per hour. There will also be a corresponding rise in the youth rates. The Government noted the strong New Zealand economy and the need to balance employer costs with the rises in the cost of living. It is estimated that this increase will see the pay rates for 100,000 Kiwi workers increase on 1st April.