Aging workforce drive up average New Zealand weekly pay

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New Zealand's median weekly pay packet rose by 4.8 percent to 844 NZ dollars (700 U.S. dollars) in the year to the end of June, driven up by an aging workforce, the government statistics agency announced Friday.

"More older workers and fewer younger workers in the workforce influenced this increase. Younger people tend to work fewer hours and earn less than older people," Statistics New Zealand standard of living acting manager Ian McGregor said in a statement.

The changing age structure of the workforce contributed to increases in both average weekly hours worked and median hourly earnings from wages and salaries.

Hours worked increased by 23 minutes to 36 hours and 18 minutes, and median hourly earnings increased by 72 NZ cents to 21.58 NZ dollars.

Median weekly income for all people from all sources was up 2.7 percent to 575 NZ dollars.