Ngāi Tahu Tourism says it is committed to moving all staff to at least the living wage of $20.55.

It's one of the largest tourism operators in Aotearoa with 13 businesses including Shotover Jet in Queenstown, Franz Josef Glacier Guides and Rainbow Springs in Rotorua

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu chair Lisa Tumahai says it's the first Ngāi Tahu company to take up the challenge, and the tribe's other businesses will follow suit.

"Our Ngāi Tahu whanui have an expectation we live up to our values, not only how we work with our own whānau but within our organisation and with our staff and how we demonstrate a genuine commitment to the people that work for us," she says.

Ms Tumahai says tourism has been seen as a low paid industry, and raising the minimum wage could help attract more talent.

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