Employer Bulletin | 10 August 2026
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Here's what is leading the news for employers this week:
New Zealand’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in the June 2026 quarter, in figures released by Stats NZ.
“This compared with 5.4 percent in the March 2026 quarter,” labour market spokesperson Abby Johnston says.
Of the 166,500 people in this figure, 19 percent had been unemployed for more than a year – “Around 8,000 more than in the same quarter in 2025,” Johnston says.
By age group, youth – 15 to 24-year-olds – experienced the largest increase in underutilisation across the year (a broader measure of untapped labour market capacity than unemployment, which includes unemployed people, the potential labour force, and people who are underemployed). This rose from 33.6 percent to 37 percent, being 21,500 people. Unemployment is also disproportionately affecting Māori, who form 25.8 percent of underutilised people.
In today’s Bulletin:
Dismissed on the spot, but remedies reduced to nil for sexual harassment
Tardy suspension and dismissal processes have costly outcome
Massive sums ordered to be paid for wage arrears and issued penalties
Settlement’s phrasing protects employer from certification complication
Authority backs employee’s assessment of status as casual employee
Eight news updates of interest for employers including:
Unemployment rate at 5.6 percent in the June 2026 quarter
Earn as You Learn programme expands
Creating rural career opportunities for at-risk youth
New subjects bring industry and the classroom closer together
School Onsite Training Programme to provide 704 places every year from 2028
Consumer Survey highlights need to turn awareness into action
40,581 new homes consented in a year, up 19%
New Drury and Paerātā stations open for South Auckland
Seven 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.
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