The June year was a meagre one for Kiwi pay packets, according to Statistics New Zealand.

Its latest New Zealand Income Survey showed very little change from the same period a year ago.

Between the two June quarters (the three months to June 30 each year), the median weekly income from wages and salaries edged up just $6 (0.7 per cent) to $806 - the smallest change since June 1999.

The median weekly income from all sources rose 1.8 per cent from $550 to $560.

Median hourly earnings rose just 48 cents or 2.4 percent to $20.86.

Certain age groups enjoyed slightly better fortunes. Weekly income from all sources increased for the 20-24 year olds (up $33 or 8.1 per cent); 60-64 years (up $50 or 9.6 per cent); and 65-plus (up $13 or 3.4 per cent).

Wage or salary slaves in the 60 to 64-year-old age group also enjoyed a $62 income increase to $860.

People aged 20-24 who were in part-time employment saw their pay packet jump $32 to $250.

Regional variations were also evident, with Wellington's median weekly income for those in paid employment falling from $863 to $850. Canterbury's income also fell from $776 to $767, but Auckland rose from $840 to $863.

Significantly more over-65s received income from self-employment during the period, rising from 6 per cent to 7.5 per cent.

The growing number of superannuitants also pushed up the number of those getting income from government transfers.

Numbers rose 3 per cent, with their median weekly income up by $8 to $288, a rise of 2.8 per cent.

That was largely due to changes in April when a 2.65 per cent increase in superannuation and a 1.7 per cent rise in student allowances came into effect.

The survey is an annual survey run during the April to June period which gives a snapshot of before-tax incomes for people and households.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Comments