Brooke Van Velden wanted to know if there could be no minimum wage increase

True
Various Media Reports
Submit a correction

OIA documents released to Radio New Zealand, and separately reported by The Post, show Workplace Relations Minister Brooke Van Velden did ask officials for data on a 0% minimum wage increase option.

She ultimately announced a 2% increase, lifting the adult minimum wage from $23.50 to $23.95 from 1 April 2026 affecting roughly 122,500 workers. This is the smallest minimum wage increase in 30 years, lower than inflation, which results in a lessening of purchasing power for those on the minimum wage. It is an effective pay cut.