Wairarapa women paid less than men

Statistics New Zealand data showed women in the Wellington region - which includes Wairarapa - earned a median weekly income 40 per cent less than their male counterparts.

Pay rates in Wairarapa are below the national average, Statistics New Zealand figures show.

The data showed women in the Wellington region - which includes Wairarapa - earned a median weekly income of $575, but it was substantially less than Wellington/Wairarapa men who pocketed a median income of $863 - a difference of 40 per cent.

The national average was $955 for men and $613 for women, a difference of 43 per cent.

Wairarapa Chamber of Commerce chief executive Steph Gundersen-Reid said it was up to businesses to question whether they were paying staff fairly.

"Any difference in earnings is a concern but we've got to remember there are many reasons for this," she said.

"The chamber encourages its members to ensure they're a good employer ... businesses must have a good look across their payroll and ask themselves, 'are we paying our staff appropriately?'"

Union organiser Shanna Reeder of Unite said a variety of factors still fuelled the gender-related wage gap.

"People can get a little confused because, if they're given a union collective contract that says they'll earn a certain amount after doing a particular job for so many years, they think it means they'll have equal pay.

"However, they've got other problems that can keep pay down, including the fact women don't get promoted as often as men."

NZME., additional reporting by Chloe Willetts