The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services has committed itself to the Living Wage campaign.

The Council is urging all social services to become Living Wage employers, and is calling on central and local government to provide funding.

The Living Wage – calculated at $18.40 an hour – is considered by researchers to be the minimum for workers and their families to share the necessities of life.

The adult minimum wage in NZ stands at only $13.75.

“The Living Wage will give all working New Zealanders the opportunity to lead rich and fulfilling lives,” says Trevor McGlinchey, the Council's executive officer.

“(Our members) see this as a good move towards the kind of equal society that will make New Zealand a much fairer and more just nation."

Council members work with vulnerable people in most communities, and see the impact of low incomes on families. 

"Our members urge central and local government to set an example by paying living wages to their employees," Mr McGlinchey said today.

The government must also ensure that contracted organisations also are resourced to pay their employees a living wage.