Dependent-child sponsorship threshold rose to ~NZ$58,240/yr from 9 March 2026 (80% of the new $35.00/hr median wage), not NZ$55,844 (which held only 10 Mar 2025–8 Mar 2026).
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AEWV minimum pay rises to NZD $23.95/hr from 1 April 2026
Why this matters for founders
Any founder hiring a migrant through the AEWV scheme must ensure offer letters and job ads meet the $23.95/hr floor from 1 April 2026 or risk visa refusal. Budget wage costs against the new rate before advertising, and note the reduced 2-year work-experience requirement makes overseas hires easier than in prior years.
Source: Immigration New Zealand
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