New Zealand's unemployment rate has reached 4.8%, affecting 148,000 people.
The latest StatsNZ figures released today show a significant increase in joblessness, surpassing the 2020 pandemic high and similar levels seen in 2017 under another National Government. Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds criticizes Nicola Willis' policies for contributing to this economic downturn.
Compared to other first-world countries like Australia (4.1%) and Great Britain (4.2%), New Zealand's unemployment rate is notably higher. Māori and Pacific people are disproportionately affected, with rates of 9.2% and 9.9%, respectively. The number of long-term unemployed individuals has also increased by 53.2%, from last year's quarter.
Edmonds expresses concern over the impact of these decisions on future generations, stating that the number of jobless people could comprise entire suburbs. This situation raises questions about the effectiveness of National's sanctions and employment strategies, which have been touted as solutions to address unemployment.