Unemployment rate hits 5.6% - worse than expectations

Liam DannBusiness Editor at Large·NZ Herald·4 Aug, 2026 10:50 PM2 mins to read‌The unemployment rate was 5.6% in the June 2026 quarter. Photo / 123rfThe unemployment rate was 5.6% in the June 2026 quarter. Photo / 123rfNew Zealand’s unemployment rate was 5.6% in the June 2026 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.That was worse than economist expectations.Forecasts were for the unemployment rate to land at 5.4% or 5.5% “The unemployment rate was 5.6% in the June 2026 quarter, compared with 5.4%