Home > Our Publications > New Zealand Outlook > 2004 > November

Auckland leads in money race

SALARIES in New Zealand are increasing and the average weekly household income in the June 2004 quarter was $1,203, an increase of 2.8 per cent from the June 2003 quarter's average of $1,170.
The median weekly household income rose 4.3 per cent to $992. 'One parent with dependent children only' households received the lowest average weekly household income, $508, up from $504 in the June 2003 quarter.
For those in paid employment, the 45 to 49-year age group received the highest average weekly income ($917), followed by the 40 to 44-year age group and the 50 54-year age group, which both received $877.
The lowest average weekly incomes for those in paid employment were received by the 15 to 19-year age group ($254), and the 20 to 24-year old age group ($531), according to Statistics New Zealand.
For full-time wage and salary earners, the 45 to 49-year age group had the highest average weekly wage and salary income ($935). For part-time wage and salary earners, the highest average weekly wage and salary income was received by the 50 to 54-year age group ($335).
Average weekly income for all people in the June 2004 quarter was highest in the Auckland region ($627) followed by Wellington ($585) and Waikato ($543). The lowest average weekly incomes in the June 2004 quarter were for the Otago ($459) and Northland regions ($470).
Average weekly income from wages and salaries for all people increased by 4.6 per cent in the June 2004 quarter to $348, due to a 3.2 per cent increase in the wages and salaries for those in paid employment. Average weekly income from wages and salaries increased 3.7 per cent ($22) for males.
Average weekly wage and salary income for those receiving income from wages and salaries was $677 in the June 2004 quarter, an increase of $22 (3.4 per cent) on the June 2003 quarter.
Average hourly earning for those receiving income from wages and salaries in the June 2004 quarter was $18.24, an increase of $0.37 (2.1 per cent) from the previous year, with males up $0.49 (to $19.58) and females up $0.22 (to 16.80).