Employer Bulletin | 18 August
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.
In the June 2025 quarter, compared with the March 2025 quarter, the:
- unemployment rate was 5.2%, compared with 5.1%
- underutilisation rate was 12.8%, compared with 12.4%
- employment rate was 66.8%, compared with 67.1%.
In the year ended June 2025:
- all salary and wage rates (including overtime) increased 2.4%
- average weekly earnings (including overtime) for full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) increased to $1,679 from $1,612
- average ordinary time hourly earnings increased to $43.39 from $41.52
In today’s Bulletin:
- Successful claim against ex-employee who breached employment agreement
- Personal grievance allowed after counsel misses deadline
- Flawed process in theft case leads to unjustified dismissal
- Charity added as controlling third party to personal grievance
- Employee unjustifiably dismissed with his own actions considered to be contributory
- Seven news updates of interest for employers including: Two new seasonal work visas to grow economy; Next New Zealand Ambassador to the United States of America announced; Urgent economic action to protect exports; Labour market statistics: June 2025 quarter; Funding for Christchurch’s new Pages Road bridge confirmed; Next steps in the Building Code Fire Safety Review, and New $3m focus on partnerships to improve youth outcomes.
- Twelve bills open for submission
If you have any questions, about this case or other employment relation matters, call the Advice Line team on 0800 800 362.