Summarised by Centrist
Researcher Lindsay Mitchell offers a clear and detailed analysis of New Zealand’s June quarter unemployment figures, observing that “it is the very young who are bearing the brunt of unemployment.”
She points out that the unemployment rate for 15- to 19-year-olds stands at a staggering 23 percent, far exceeding other age groups, with rates gradually falling as age increases.
Mitchell notes that “Pacific people have the highest unemployment rate at 12.1 percent followed by Māori at 10 percent,” and observes that this pattern “has held over decades.”
She also draws attention to regional differences, stating that “Auckland’s unemployment rate is high at 6.1 percent, up from 4.6 percent a year ago, while Wellington’s rate is lower at 4.1 percent and Otago has the lowest at 3 percent.”
She points out employment gains in sectors such as electricity, gas, water, wholesale trade, financial and insurance services, real estate, and education. “There was a very big jump in 15–19-year-olds in education between March and June this year” which “helps explain why the education and training sector is adding jobs,” she writes.
Challenging media narratives focused on government criticism, Mitchell says, “the numbers don’t necessarily support the narratives pushed by the likes of RNZ and Stuff, who appear intent on winding up anger against the current government.”
