David Farrar: Real wages

This chart (below) uses data from the Quarterly Employment Survey which was just released this week. It is adjusted for inflation.

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In December 2017 the average hourly wage was $42.16 (in 2025$) and in December 2023 when Labour left office it was $42.20. So an increase of 4 cents an hour over six years! Thanks Grant.

Since December 2023, the average hourly wage has increased to $42.85, so 65 cents an hour more after just five quarters. That is equally to around $1,350 a year.

David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders.