Unemployment has risen to 5.6%, the highest since the September 2015 quarter. 413,691 people received a working-age main benefit in the June 2026 quarter, up 1.9% on a year earlier. Average hourly earnings rose 2.8% in a year, less than prices (4.1%).
Unemployment rate: 3.9% (Sep 2023 qtr) to 5.6% (Jun 2026 qtr); up 1.7 points, worse.
Working-age main benefits: 362,094 (Sep 2023 qtr) to 413,691 (Jun 2026 qtr); up 51,597.
Average hourly earnings: $40.40 (Sep 2023 qtr) to $44.62 (Jun 2026 qtr); up $4.22.
Luxon's government took office on 27 November 2023. These compare the last reporting period before the 14 October 2023 election with the latest period. Economic shocks, global conditions and earlier decisions also affect the figures. How we choose the periods.
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June 2026 quarterJobseeker Support 218,481Sole Parent Support 81,255Supported Living Payment 109,500
Jobseeker Support. Jobseeker Support: 218,481 in Jun 2026 qtr. Sole Parent Support: 81,255 in Jun 2026 qtr. Supported Living Payment: 109,500 in Jun 2026 qtr.
Source: Ministry of Social Development (MSD), Benefit fact sheets: national benefit tables.
Average hourly earnings rose 2.8% in a year
Pay rates for the same job (Labour Cost Index) rose 2.0%. Prices rose 4.1%.
Average ordinary-time hourly earnings, all industries
Average ordinary-time hourly earnings, all industriesAverage ordinary-time hourly earnings, all industries (inflation-adjusted, Jun 2026 qtr prices)
Show the figures
Period
Average ordinary-time hourly earnings, all industries (NZ$)
Average ordinary-time hourly earnings, all industries (inflation-adjusted, Jun 2026 qtr prices) (NZ$)
June 2026 quarterAverage ordinary-time hourly earnings, all industries $44.62Average ordinary-time hourly earnings, all industries (inflation-adjusted, Jun 2026 qtr prices) $44.62
Average ordinary-time hourly earnings, all industries. Average ordinary-time hourly earnings, all industries: $44.62 in Jun 2026 qtr. Average ordinary-time hourly earnings, all industries (inflation-adjusted, Jun 2026 qtr prices): $44.62 in Jun 2026 qtr.
Average ordinary-time hourly earnings (all industries) in constant Jun 2026 qtr prices, showing whether pay buys more or less than before. Source: Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa, Quarterly Employment Survey.
13.8% of 15 to 24 year olds are not in work, education or training
The NEET rate is seasonally adjusted and covers people aged 15 to 24.
