Employer Bulletin | 12 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 2024 quarter, compared with the March 2024 quarter, the:

• Unemployment rate was 4.6 percent, compared with 4.4 percent
• Underutilisation rate was 11.8 percent, up from 11.2 percent
• Employment rate remained at 68.4 percent.

In the year to the June 2024 quarter:

• All salary and wage rates (including overtime) increased 4.3 percent
• Average weekly earnings (including overtime) for full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) increased to $1,612
• Average ordinary time hourly earnings increased to $41.52

In today’s Bulletin

• Strike notice deemed sufficient
• Court overturns Authority’s decision of unjustified suspension and dismissal
• Dismissal for threatening harm found to be justified
• A costly miscommunication in the hiring department
• Authority affirms interim reinstatement after unjustified dismissal
• Seven news updates of interest for employers including: New direction for Public Service; Taxpayer money being spent on children first; Passport wait times reduced by half; Prime Minister Luxon cements ties with Vanuatu; Work-related health newsletter – August 2024; Calls for tenants, landlords and homeowners to check their bathroom heaters; and Labour market statistics: June 2024 quarter.
• Seven Bills open for submission