Council first to be accredited

Kāpiti Coast District Council is the first district council in New Zealand to be an accredited living wage employer.

After a long process, the council received accreditation from the Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand in December.

The living wage is an internationally acknowledged term for a wage which enables workers to live in dignity and participate in society.

The minimum wage is currently $22.70 per hour, but this accreditation means staff employed or contracted to provide a regular and ongoing service by the council will be paid the living wage — currently $26 per hour for 16 years and older.

Kāpiti Mayor Janet

Holborow said becoming a living wage employer is a significant achievement and one council has been working towards for a long time.

“While all staff directly employed by council are already paid at least the living wage, accreditation means those contracted by council on a regular and ongoing basis are paid enough to buy the basics and live with dignity.”

Holborow said every year the council contracts out a range of work to mostly local companies.

“During the accreditation process, we learned that most of our suppliers already pay their staff the living wage or above, which is fantastic and a credit to our business community.

“We’re delighted to have received the accreditation and proud to know that anyone who does any kind of regular work for council will be paid appropriately for their mahi.”

Council chief executive Darren Edwards said it is a major employer on the Kāpiti Coast and this will make a difference in our community.

“Going to work every day but not making enough to cover even the basics is not a recipe for happy and healthy families and communities, so it’s good to know that all those who do regular work for us will be taking home a fair wage.”

Living Wage Movement executive director Gina Lockyer said it is great to see the council acting on the call from their community.