New Zealand's government announced it is raising the minimum wage in a move that will impact about 250,000 workers.

Right now the minimum wage across the Tasman Sea is NZ$17.70 (AU$16.96).  As of April 2020, that's going up to NZ$18.90 (AU$18.11) with a target of NZ$20.00 (AU$19.11) by 2021.

"Around a quarter of million workers will be better off next year, thanks to another $1.20 an hour increase to the minimum wage, the biggest equal lift ever," said Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway.  "With our economy doing well, we want to make sure that our lowest-paid workers also benefit," he added.

"The rise in the minimum wage is estimated to boost wages by $306 million a year across the economy.  That's a good investment in local economies where workers spend their wages," said the minister.

The training wage is also going up to NZ$15.12 (AU$14.49).   Unions appear to support the move.

"The minimum wage is currently $17.70 so an increase of $1.20 an hour will mean an increase of $48 a week for someone working full time," said New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (CTU) president Richard Wagstaff.  "We have total confidence that the Government is on track to fulfill its promise of a $20 minimum wage by 2021."