There are more job applicants than a year ago. Photo / 123 Rf x
New Zealand’s unemployment rate was 5.6% in the June 2026 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
That was worse than economist expectations.
Forecasts were for the unemployment rate to land at 5.4% or 5.5%.
“The unemployment rate was 5.6% in the June 2026 quarter, compared with 5.4% in the March 2026 quarter,” labour market spokesperson Abby Johnston said.
Of the 166,500 people who were unemployed in the June 2026 quarter (not seasonally adjusted), 19% had been unemployed for more than a year. Being unemployed for over a year is one measure of long-term unemployment.
“Around 8,000 more people were experiencing long-term unemployment in the June 2026 quarter than in the same quarter in 2025,” Johnston said.
— More to come
Liam Dann is business editor-at-large for the New Zealand Herald . He is a senior writer and columnist, and also presents and produces videos and podcasts. He joined the Herald in 2003.
