Median weekly income from all sources was up $26 in the June 2015 quarter from a year ago, Statistics New Zealand said today. Half the population aged 15 years and over received more than $621 a week in the June 2015 quarter.
“Over the last year, there were more wage and salary earners, particularly more full-time workers,” labour market and households statistics manager, Diane Ramsay, said. “This contributed to the income rise for all people, as full-time workers tend to receive higher income than the rest of the population.”
Median hourly earnings increased 83 cents, to $22.83, between the two June quarters. This increase was due to the rise in full-time workers, and the increase in full-time earnings. “Hourly earnings were up 3.8 per cent – the largest increase in the last six years,”
Ramsay said.
An increase in weekly income from government transfers also contributed to the increase in weekly income from all sources. Government transfers include income received from benefits, working for families tax credits, paid parental leave, student allowances, ACC payments, NZ Superannuation, and veteran and war pensions.
In the year to the June 2015 quarter, median weekly income from government transfers increased $12, to $315.
The NZ Income Survey (NZIS) surveys approximately 30,000 people each year during the June quarter. It provides a snapshot of before-tax income statistics about individuals and households.
See user guide for Statistics New Zealand’s wage and income measures for more information on the NZIS and other income measures Statistics NZ provides.
