Earnings surge across Wairarapa

Incomes in Wairarapa are turning a corner with fatter pay packets in all three districts, the latest Census shows.

Carterton was the star regional performer, posting a 20 per cent rise in median income from $22,200 in 2006 to $26,700 last year, while in South Wairarapa the median income rose 19 per cent over the same period from $24,200 to $28,900, putting the district ahead of the 2013 national median of $28,500.

Masterton paced the regional surge in median income and posted an increase of just over 16 per cent, rising from $21,700 in 2006 to $25,300 last year.

Stephanie Gundersen-Reid, Wairarapa Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said greater business investment and population growth in the region were helping to fuel the lift in median incomes.

"I think it's positive for the region and shows more people are coming to Wairarapa and choosing to work here and start their own businesses here. And they understand the value of higher salaries to get good people," she said.

Ms Gundersen-Reid said Carterton had also led the North Island for population growth, according to the 2013 Census figures.

From 2006 to 2013, Carterton grew 16 per cent, while Masterton posted a 3.2 per cent rise in population and the head count in South Wairarapa grew 7.2 per cent.

"We're getting some people from Wellington and some from other parts of the country who have chosen to move here - we're also getting people who have come back from overseas and most have a reason for coming here, which often is family.

"Or they have decided they like the Wairarapa lifestyle and want to live here while still being close to Wellington or Palmerston North - we're very close to two cities but you can still have that lifestyle choice," she said.

"I think it's very positive for the regional economy and hopefully it continues. Each of the districts have experienced increases in population growth and median incomes but I found it intriguing that Carterton and South Wairarapa were actually higher.

"Carterton and Greytown are growing - Martinborough as well, there's lots of people with holiday homes and B&Bs there - but I think a lot of people are choosing Carterton as a great little town to live in, because it is - it's close to Masterton but still retains that provincial charm."

In 2013, 38.2 per cent of adult Kiwis (aged 15 and over) had a personal income of $20,000 or less, and 5.9 per cent had a personal income of over $100,000.

Men were more likely than women to have an income of over $70,000, at 19.6 per cent for men compared with 8.3 per cent for women.

Men had a median income of $36,500 and women had a median income of $23,100. Men's median income was 1.6 times that of women's median income.

The increase in median income since 2006 was less for men than for women. Since 2006, men's median income increased 15.9 per cent and women's median income increased 20.9 per cent.