Average earnings continue to increase slowly after stalling earlier in the year, however the year-on-year increase is the slowest for over 15 years.
Statistics New Zealand's Quarterly Employment Survey shows a slight increase in total average weekly earnings (including overtime and benefits) over the last three months, making a yearly gain of just 1.3% - the lowest annual increase in average total hourly earnings since the June 1994 year.
Average weekly earnings were up to $972.69 from $965.28 three months earlier.
Salaries are likely to struggle to keep up with inflation over the next reporting period as GST increased to 15% in October, however income tax cuts which also came into effect in October give all workers a boost in take-home pay to compensate.