Hamilton has become the first city council in New Zealand to approve paying all staff a 'living wage'.
Campaigners say the living wage, calculated at $18.40 per hour, is the rate needed for workers to fully take part in society.
The minimum wage is $13.75.
The change will affect about 80 council staff, and cost about $168,000 a year.
The resolution was passed by eight votes to five, and will be funded from the existing council budget for staff wage increases.