Wellingtonians pocket highest wages

Wages in Wellington are the highest in New Zealand, according to information released by Statistics New Zealand.

Figures to Mach 2005 show Wellingtonians' quarterly earnings were $11,070 - $40 ahead of Aucklanders.

The national average was $9,830.

However, Northland had the biggest percentage increase in earnings at 5.2 per cent, followed by Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough and the West Coast, at 4.8 per cent.

The growth in those regions - along with Manawatu-Wanganui at 4.5 per cent - was attributed to climbing average earnings in the manufacturing industry.

Job growth for the year ending March 2005 was the fastest in Waikato, up 4.4 per cent, just head of Bay of Plenty.

Statistics new Zealand attributed Waikato's growth to increases in the property and business services industry.

-NEWSTALK ZB