This April, New Zealand’s minimum wage will rise from $23.15 to $23.50 per hour, a 1.5% increase.
The change, announced by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden, will affect around 142,000 workers. Opinions on the increase are divided, with unions calling it inadequate and employers saying it reflects economic realities.
The Council of Trade Unions criticised the increase, saying it doesn’t keep pace with inflation and amounts to a pay cut in real terms. Acting president Rachel Mackintosh called the move “miserly” and unfair, arguing that evidence shows raising wages does not harm employment. Similarly, Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono said the increase fails to address rising rents and inflation, making it harder for workers to cope.
On the other hand, the Employers and Manufacturers Association described the change as reasonable. EMA head Alan McDonald praised the early announcement, which allows businesses more time to plan. In recent years, some wage hikes were announced with little notice, making budgeting difficult for employers.
The training and starting-out minimum wages will also rise slightly, from $18.52 to $18.80 per hour. For a full-time worker on the new minimum wage, the change adds about $14 per week before taxes.
That is one fit cat. I dont think i could walk that far. Let a lone a cat!!!
long way for a cat to travel
it was really good and interesting I loved it good job
That’s a long way.
The owners must’ve been scared to lose their cat but in the end the cat was found by a kind person who looked after the cat after walking 1448 km.
Thats pretty amazing! Very fit cat. Surely it didn’t do it all on paw! That’s crazy!
a least the cat got home
That cat must love their family so much to travel 1448 km, by paw!
I want that cat NOW!!!!!!!!
wish i could travel that far
wow cat strong
traveled so long!
they are so cute