Labour market statistics provide a picture of the New Zealand labour market, including unemployment and employment rates, demand for labour, and changes in wages and salaries. Labour market at a glance • Unemployment rate fell to 4.4 percent. • Underutilisation rate fell to 11.9 percent. • Employment rate was unchanged at 67.7 percent. • Filled jobs fell 0.2 percent. • Average ordinary time hourly earnings increased to $30.96. • Annual wage inflation remained unchanged at 1.8 percent. Unemployment, underutilisation, and NEET In the March 2018 quarter, the seasonally adjusted unemployment and underutilisation rates ... (full story)

This is the fifth consecutive quarter the unemployment rate has fallen and is the lowest rate since the December 2008 quarter, when it was also 4.4 percent. “While most New Zealanders are familiar with the unemployment rate, the underutilisation rate is equally as important,” labour market and household statistics senior manager Jason Attewell said. “It provides a broader picture of untapped capacity in the labour market.” The seasonally adjusted underutilisation rate fell to 11.9 percent, down from 12.2 percent in the December 2017 quarter. There were almost 340,000 people with the desire and potential to work more, ... (full story)