New Zealand: jobs and pay

What is the underutilisation rate in New Zealand?

New Zealand's underutilisation rate was 13.8% in the June 2026 quarter, up from 12.9% in the March quarter, according to Stats NZ, released on 5 August 2026. 440,000 people were underutilised. The unemployment rate was 5.6%.

Underutilisation is a broader measure than unemployment. It adds people who are working part-time but want more hours and people who want a job but are not actively looking or not available to start straight away. The figures come from the Household Labour Force Survey and are seasonally adjusted. The September quarter figures are due on 4 November 2026.

Official sources: Stats NZ: Labour market statistics, June 2026 quarter

How many people are employed in New Zealand?

2,905,000 people were employed in New Zealand in the June 2026 quarter, up 0.5% on the March quarter and 1.2% on a year earlier, according to Stats NZ. The employment rate, the share of the working-age population in work, was unchanged at 66.7%.

The working-age population grew 1.3% over the year to 4,353,000, faster than employment, which is why the employment rate edged down 0.1 percentage points over the year. The figures come from the Household Labour Force Survey and are seasonally adjusted.

Official sources: Stats NZ: Labour market statistics, June 2026 quarter

How fast are wages growing in New Zealand?

Salary and wage rates in New Zealand, including overtime, rose 2.0% in the year to the June 2026 quarter, according to the labour cost index published by Stats NZ. Private sector rates rose 2.0% and public sector rates 1.7%. Consumer prices rose 4.1% over the same year.

The labour cost index measures changes in pay for the same job, so it removes the effect of people changing jobs or getting promoted. A separate measure, average ordinary time hourly earnings, rose 2.8% to $44.62; it reflects both pay rises and changes in the mix of jobs.

Official sources: Stats NZ: Labour market statistics, June 2026 quarter

What are average hourly earnings in New Zealand?

Average ordinary time hourly earnings in New Zealand were $44.62 in the June 2026 quarter, up from $43.39 a year earlier, according to Stats NZ. Average weekly earnings for full-time equivalent employees, including overtime, were $1,730, up from $1,679. Median hourly earnings from wages and salaries were $35.96.

Averages are pulled up by high earners, so the median, the midpoint, is lower. The average figures come from the Quarterly Employment Survey of businesses, while the median comes from the Household Labour Force Survey.

Official sources: Stats NZ: Labour market statistics, June 2026 quarter · Stats NZ: Labour market statistics (income), June 2026 quarter

What is the gender pay gap in New Zealand?

New Zealand's gender pay gap was 5.3% in the June 2026 quarter, compared with 5.2% a year earlier and 8.2% in the June 2024 quarter, according to Stats NZ, released on 26 August 2026.

Stats NZ measures the gap as the difference between men's and women's median hourly earnings from wages and salaries, as a share of men's. It compares all employed men and women, not people doing the same job, so it reflects differences in occupations, industries and hours as well as pay. Small changes from year to year can reflect survey sampling.

Official sources: Stats NZ: Labour market statistics (income), June 2026 quarter

What is the labour force participation rate in New Zealand?

New Zealand's labour force participation rate was 70.7% in the June 2026 quarter, up 0.2 percentage points on the March quarter and on a year earlier, according to Stats NZ.

The participation rate is the share of the working-age population, people aged 15 and over, who are employed or looking for work. It rose while the unemployment rate also rose to 5.6%, meaning more people were in the labour force but not all of them found work. The number of unemployed people was 171,000.

Official sources: Stats NZ: Labour market statistics, June 2026 quarter

How much is the minimum wage in New Zealand?

4,010 NZD a month (about $2,427): that is the statutory minimum wage in New Zealand for 2024, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

What is the average monthly salary in New Zealand?

The ILO puts average monthly earnings of employees in New Zealand at $3,798 a month in 2022. Since 2014 it has ranged from $3,153 a month (2015) to $3,968 a month (2021). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was $404 a month, and New Zealand placed 1st highest of 10. Of 98 countries with 2022 data, 14th highest.

What is the unemployment rate in New Zealand?

The ILO puts the unemployment rate in New Zealand at 5.1% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 6.9%; its low point was 2022, at 3.3%. East Asia & Pacific median: 2.9%; New Zealand is 4th highest of 24. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 86th highest.

What is the youth unemployment rate in New Zealand?

14.4%: that is unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in New Zealand for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 9.4% (2022) to 18.0% (2012). East Asia & Pacific median: 7.5%; New Zealand is 4th highest of 24. Worldwide: 75th of 174.

How many people in New Zealand are working or looking for work?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 70.4%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 67.2% (2005) to 71.5% (2023). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 65.3%, and New Zealand placed 5th highest of 24. Worldwide: 26th of 174.

What is female labour force participation in New Zealand?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 66.1%. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 66.9%; its low point was 2005, at 60.1%. East Asia & Pacific median: 56.3%; New Zealand is 5th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 20th of 174.

What is the employment rate in New Zealand?

66.8%: that is the employment to population ratio in New Zealand for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 63.0% (2012) to 68.8% (2023). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 63.1%, and New Zealand placed 6th highest of 24. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 29th highest.

How common is self-employment in New Zealand?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in New Zealand was 12.6% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 40.0%, and New Zealand placed 20th highest of 24. Worldwide: 131st of 174.

What share of workers in New Zealand earn a wage or salary?

81.6%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in New Zealand for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 56.8%, and New Zealand placed 5th highest of 24. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 50th highest.