Wellington City Council is meeting on Wednesday morning to vote on whether it will become the first to pay its employees a living wage of at least $18.40 per hour.
The proposal, which would cost about $750,000 a year, would cover all council employees.
If it is adopted, the new rate, which would mainly affect those in frontline operations, would come into effect from 1 January.
More than 40 campaigners are at the meeting, to urge councillors to support the living wage.
The vote is expected later in the day.
