New Zealand raises minimum wage and increases taxes on the rich

Jacinda Ardern says the changes to wages and benefits will help support the most vulnerable

New Zealand is raising its minimum wage to $20 an hour and increasing the top tax rate for the country's highest earners to 39%.

The changes will be rolled out on Thursday, alongside small increases to unemployment and sickness benefits. The government estimates the minimum wage increase - a rise of $1.14 per hour - will affect up to 175,500 workers, and increase wages across the economy by $216m.