Labour Party leader Phil Goff says raising the minimum wage will help job growth.
Department of Labour advice to the Government suggested lifting the minimum wage to $15 an hour, as Labour intends, would cost 4000 to 6000 jobs.
But Mr Goff says if workers on the minimum wage have more money, it will create demand for goods and services - and he says that is good for business.
People who work a full week deserve a living wage, he says.
