Minimum wage increases will hurt already reeling horticultural industry

Editor, SMEE - March 21, 2023

The minimum wage increase in April will cut into the New Zealand horticultural industry's already tight margins and put increased financial pressure on a sector decimated by bad weather, not least the floods. Some small growers could go under as a result.  From April 1 this year, the adult minimum wage across New Zealand will rise to $22.70 per hour. The training and starting wage rates will increase from $16.96 to $18.16.  "We're not say don't pay fair wages for a fair day's work—pick...