The minimum wage must be raised to address growing social inequality between Maori and Pasfika communities and Pakeha, the Green and Maori parties say.
A new study by Victoria University shows the inequality gap between Maori and Pasifika, and Pakeha has widened on a number of measures over the past 10 years, including obesity and unemployment.
In addition to raising the minimum wage, the Maori Party wants to double the number of Maori and Pasifika trade training placements per year to 6000 if it gets back into Government and secure $2.5 million a year for 250 cadetships for unemployed Maori.
The Green Party will be releasing its full policy on wages shortly, but its co-leader Metiria Turei said the party supports raising the minimum wage and encouraging companies to offer staff a living wage.