Letters to the editor: We need to raise the minimum wage 16 Feb, 2021 08:00 PM 3 minutes to read A reader says the minimum wage needs to be raised. Photo / Getty Images Bay of Plenty Times I previously advocated for the minimum wage to be increased but received a rebuff from some politicians that such an increase would have too big an impact on the costs to businesses and would lead to higher unemployment. But a high number of beneficiaries rely on the Government to supplement their income so they can make ends meet. Mostly they want to work and earn a living wage.