Updated 4.56pm: Members of Parliament have today been given a pay rise.

The pay hikes come just a day after the minimum adult living wage was raised by 50 cents an hour.  

The pay rises amount to around 5.5% which has been attacked at a time when inflation is basically flat lining.

The Prime Minister's new salary is just over $452,000, a Cabinet Minister's on more than $283,000, a rise of $1500 a year, while backbench MPs new rate is $156,000, a rise of more than $8000.

The new pay rates will be backdated to last July and are set independently by the Remuneration Authority.

The Prime Minister is frustrated the authority responsible for setting MPs wages keeps handing out pay rises.

But John Key says they shouldn't get one this year because inflation is low - but, because the Authority is an independent body,  he can't stop them.

"It's frustrating because every radio station, every newspaper and every TV channel tonight will run a story that I'm getting a pay increase as if I want it - and it's about the last thing I want."

Bill English says it will be hard to give the money back.

"We've looked at that before, it's actually amazingly difficult to do that. I think the real issue is here that to ensure the Remuneration Authority is making decisions roughly in line with community expectations."

Maori Affairs Minister Te Ururoa Flavell shrugged his shoulders when asked whether they deserve more money.

"I'm not too sure to be honest. I don't even know what my salary is. But what I do know is that we work hard."

The pay rise is tipped to be around $10,000, or $5 dollars an hour.

Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye is on $230,000 a year plus allowances allowances.

She doesn't believe they should get more but there's little they can do about it.

"I think it would be inappropriate but in the end they're an independent authority."