Period

Minimum remuneration requirement

Until 31 December 2006

Payment at the minimum wage* (see below) for actual hours worked but in no case less than 42 hours per week over the course of the engagement. Deductions may not take wages below this floor.

1 January 2007

Hours as above.

Hourly rate - minimum wage* (see below) + $1.25 per hour.

Permissible deductions must only be food, visa fees and airfares, and must be based on actual, reasonable, verified expenses. Deductions may not take hourly rates below the minimum wage.

Genuine and verified personal expenses such as cigarettes, phone cards and non-protective clothing (effectively personal wage advances and not connected with the work) are allowed and will not be treated as deductions.

1 January 2008

Minimum wage* (see below) + $1.75 per hour.

Hours, deductions and personal expenses as above.

Deductions may not take hourly rates below the minimum wage, as above.

1 January 2009

Minimum wage* (see below) + $2.00 per hour.

Hours, deductions and personal expenses as above.

Deductions may not take hourly rates below the minimum wage, as above.

* The minimum wage means the statutory amount set under the Minimum Wage Act, current rates can be found at www.ers.dol.govt.nz.