NZ Job Market Still Struggling as Unemployment Set to Rise Again

New figures due this week are expected to confirm that New Zealand’s job market remains soft, with unemployment likely creeping higher in the three months to the end of September.

Stats NZ’s quarterly Household Labour Force Survey, set for release on Wednesday, is projected by most economists to show the unemployment rate edging up to 5.3%, from 5.2% in the June quarter.

While the headline figure draws attention, experts say the real story lies deeper in the data — especially around participation, underemployment, and hours worked.