New Zealand’s unemployment rate has climbed to 5.6 percent, its highest level in nearly 11 years, intensifying concern about the number of people struggling to find work.
The latest labour market figures put the number of unemployed New Zealanders at around 171,000, as a difficult jobs market continues to put pressure on households and communities across Aotearoa.
Young people are among those facing the toughest conditions, with youth unemployment rising alongside the number of rangatahi who are not in employment, education or training.
Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds says the figures point to an economy that is failing to provide enough opportunities for New Zealanders looking for work.
The impact is particularly significant for Māori, with unemployment among Māori reported at 10.8 percent, almost twice the overall national rate.
Labour has placed responsibility for the deteriorating employment picture on the Government’s economic decisions, including public sector job losses and reduced or cancelled investment in infrastructure and other projects.
The Government maintains its economic programme is designed to strengthen business confidence and employment over the longer term, pointing to investment in infrastructure, tourism and international education as part of its approach to economic growth.
But with unemployment now at an 11-year high, the state of the labour market is shaping up as a major political and economic issue heading towards the election.
For rangatahi entering the workforce, the challenge could be particularly important. Missing out on early opportunities for employment, education or training can have consequences that extend well beyond the latest set of unemployment figures.
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