Pay equity improves as women's median earnings climb
The gender pay gap in New Zealand has dropped to its lowest level since records began, according to Stats NZ.
The gap was 5.2% in the June 2025 quarter, down from 8.2% a year earlier.
“The June 2025 quarter gender pay gap of 5.2% is the lowest since the series began in 1998,” said labour market spokesperson Abby Johnston (pictured). “Annually, the gender pay gap declined by 3 percentage points, the first statistically significant annual decline noted since 2017.”
Women’s wages rising faster
Stats NZ said the reduction was driven by stronger wage growth for women than men.
In the year to June, median hourly earnings rose $1.44 (4.3%) to $35.00. For women, median hourly earnings rose $1.68 (5.2%) to $33.76, while for men earnings lifted only 1.9% to $35.62 – a change not considered statistically significant.
“Increases in women’s median hourly earnings were seen across age groups, ethnicity, and occupation,” Johnston said in a media release.
But despite the stronger income growth, women remain slightly behind men in property ownership, with surveys showing just 49% of women own their home compared with 51% of men, and only 11% hold investment properties versus 14% of men – gaps that are most pronounced among younger generations.
Why medians matter
The gender pay gap is measured by comparing median hourly earnings between men and women. Stats NZ said the use of median pay helps avoid skewing results from very high earners and better reflects typical earnings across the workforce.
Median pay represents the middle point in earnings distribution – with half of workers earning less, and half earning more.
With the gender pay gap at a record low, advisers have an opportunity to support more women buyers, who may now be better positioned to enter the market, upgrade, or invest in property.
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