# Pay and wages Official source: https://www.employment.govt.nz/pay-and-hours/pay-and-wages Scanned: 2026-06-07T03:31:31.402Z Use this as a current official guidance reference, not as a substitute for legal advice. ## Page Text Home Pay and hours Pay and wages Pay and hours Pay and wages Employees work in exchange for some form of payment. Pay can include wages, salary, commission and piece rates. Pay and hours Pay and wages Minimum wage Holidays and leave pay Types of pay Allowances Deductions and premiums Pay periods and paydays Payslips Final pay Setting pay, pay reviews and pay rises Hours and breaks Minimum wage Minimum wage rates apply to all employees aged 16 and over. Minimum wage rates and types Minimum wage exemptions for disabled people Previous minimum wage rates Holidays and leave pay Find out about pay for annual holidays, public holidays and other types of leave. Calculating holiday and leave pay Public holiday pay Annual holiday pay Cashing-up annual holidays Pay-as-you-go annual holiday payments Pay for sick, bereavement and family violence leave Parental leave payments Types of pay There are different types of pay, including wages, salary, commission or piece rates. How and when an employee will be paid should be recorded in the employment agreement. Allowances An allowance is an extra payment on top of the employee’s regular pay for something specific related to their job, for example, travel costs or training. There is no legal requirement for an employer to provide an allowance. Deductions and premiums Employers can generally only take money out of an employee’s pay (make a deduction) if required by law, they have the employee’s written consent, or in some cases if they have been overpaid. They cannot take money to give or keep them in a job. Pay periods and paydays When and how often an employee is paid, for example, weekly, fortnightly or monthly, varies between workplaces. The employment agreement or a workplace policy should say when payday is. Payslips If employees do not get a payslip or it does not have enough information, they can ask their employer for the information they want. Final pay When an employee stops working for an employer, their last pay must include their final wages, all the holiday pay they’re entitled to, and any other payments owing. Setting pay, pay reviews and pay rises An employee’s pay is set by agreement between the employee and the employer – as long as it's at least the relevant minimum wage and meets the requirements of the employment agreement.