The latest StatsNZ figures show demand for labour remains healthy.

At 3.4 percent, New Zealand has the fifth lowest unemployment rate of the 27 OECD countries using standard rates. The countries with lower unemployment rates than NZ are: Norway (2.6%), Netherlands (2.9%), Korea (3.2%) and Denmark (3.3%).

  • New Zealand’s unemployment rate fell slightly from 3.5 percent in the September 2007 quarter to 3.4 percent in the December 2007 quarter.
  • The labour force participation rate rose to 68.8 percent, the highest recorded since the labour force survey began in 1986.
  • Unemployment numbers decreased by 2,000, driven by a drop in female unemployment, while male unemployment increased.

In the tables below we have summarised the unemployment figures for different ethnic groups, age groups and regions of New Zealand.

Unemployment by Ethnic Group

Ethnicity Unemployment
Rate
European 2.3%
Maori 7.3%
Pacific People 4.7%
Others 5.4%

Unemployment by Region

Region Unemployment
Rate
Northland 2.7%
Auckland 3.5%
Waikato 3.3%
Bay of Plenty 3.3%
Gisborne / Hawkes 4.5%
Taranaki 2.4%
Manawatu/Wanganui 5.3%
Wellington 2.5%
Tasman / Nelson / Marlborough / West Coast 2.7%
Canterbury 2.7%
Otago 2.9%
Southland 1.6%

Unemployment by Age-Group

Age Group Unemployment
Rate
15 - 19 12.6%
20 - 24 5.0%
25 - 29 3.3%
30 - 34 2.3%
35 - 39 3.2%
40 - 44 1.9%
45 - 49 1.8%
50 - 54 1.6%
55 - 59 1.1%
60 - 64 1.4%