Forty per cent of the country's 1.85 million employees, around 740,000 people, will earn below that rate including beginning teachers, chefs, truck drivers, mechanics and carpenters, as well as traditionally low-paid groups such as cleaners, caregivers and checkout operators.
A Cabinet decision on any increase to the $13.50 an hour minimum wage is due soon and will apply from April 1. Mr Bridges said $13.50 an hour was a sufficient protection for low-waged people, citing it as one of the highest in the OECD.
"We have, as a government, increased it every single year we've been in office - our approach is very much to keep increasing the minimum wage over time to protect the real incomes of low-paid workers, while minimising job losses."
Although Mr Bridges has initially rejected the idea of a living wage, he says the Government isn't in denial over the struggle some Kiwis face.
"I believe we're doing a lot for workers who can't make ends meet - I don't think it's well enough understood that if you're a low-income worker there are a range of entitlements you are able to get through Work and Income in terms of accommodation supplement, emergency benefits and various health and other packages."
He would not be drawn on the cleaners at Parliament who earn $13.85 an hour.
Asked whether they should earn more, he said: "I understand the position they and their union would take, but actually we're trying to raise the minimum wage as we can and as the economy can take it. We also provide a range of entitlements to low- income Kiwis who are doing their best working in low-paid jobs and we, as a country, need to be conducive and open to investment and do the things that make us productive so that there are higher wages."
Rising floor
Minimum wage rates
National
1997 $7.00
1998 $7.00
1999 $7.00
Labour
2000 $7.55
2001 $7.70
2002 $8.00
2003 $8.50
2004 $9.00
2005 $9.50
2006 $10.25
2007 $11.25
2008 $12.00
National
2009 $12.50
2010 $12.75
2011 $13.00
2012 $13.50.
