Spark raises minimum pay for front-line staffTOM PULLAR-STRECKER/FAIRFAX NZ The company will pay all non-commission-based full-time employees at least $40,000 salary. If compared to the current living wage of $19.80 an hour, $40,000 a year minimum falls short at $19.23 an hour. The new Spark pay policy has benefited more than 250 staff who have received pay increases over the past two years to bring them up to the new level. New Zealand was the first country in the world to implement a national minimum wage and the living wage movement started here in 2012. The first New Zealand living wage rate of $18.40 was set in February 2013, with yearly increases based on the average movement of hourly wages.

Source: Stuff August 14, 2016 21:55 UTC