Average Income Growth Slows

New Zealand Income Survey: June 2000 quarter

The New Zealand Income Survey shows that growth in average weekly income has slowed over the last year. Average weekly income grew by 1.4 per cent between the June 1999 and June 2000 quarters. This rate of growth compares with 3.8 per cent between the June 1998 and June 1999 quarters and 4.2 per cent between the June 1997 and June 1999 quarters.

Between the June 1999 and 2000 quarters average weekly income for Mäori and Pacific Peoples increased by $35 and $24 respectively. In the June 2000 quarter, European/Pakeha received the highest average weekly income at $470, followed by Mäori at $386, Pacific Peoples at $346 and the 'Other' ethnic group at $335.

In the June 2000 quarter average weekly income for all people aged 15 years and over was highest in the Wellington region at $515, followed by Auckland at $500. Wellington has been the region with the highest average weekly income over the past three years. Average weekly income was lowest in the Otago region at $354 and Northland at $368.

In the June 2000 quarter, female median hourly earnings for wage and salary earners was 86.0 per cent of male median hourly earnings for wage and salary earners. This compares with 84.8 per cent, 83.9 per cent and 83.1 per cent in the June 1999, 1998 and 1997 quarters respectively.

John Cornish ACTING GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN

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