The policy does not apply to contractors staff of council-controlled operations Bay Venues, Tourism Bay of Plenty and the Tauranga Art Gallery.
Living wage advocates have welcomed the move for direct staff but had also asked the council to look into how it could extend the policy contractors and employees of other council organisations.
One councillor spoke out against the move though it was not immediately clear how he voted.
Max Mason was recorded as voting for the policy in what appeared to be a unanimous verbal vote, but later said he had been distracted by reading newly-tabled minutes during the discussion and wanted it recorded that he did not support the policy.
He told NZME he had a number of issues with the living wage.
Mason believed the calculation used to set it each year, independent of Government, was a "flawed formula".
One of the flaws was that having one national figure did not account for differences in living expenses between small towns and large cities.
Mason also believed the increasing uptake of living wage policies in big public organisations was disadvantaging small business owners, making it harder for them to attract staff.
"It's deeply unfair to small businesses. A lot of them are on the edge of viability at any time and can't afford to pay anything more."
Councillor Catherine Stewart, who voted against the move in committee, was not at today's meeting due to a delayed flight.
Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch councils all have living wage policies.
