Unemployment is continuing to rise.

New figures from Stats NZ show the unemployment rate was 4.3% in the March quarter, up 0.3 percentage points from 4% in the December quarter.

The unemployment rate has been steadily rising since reaching a record low of 3.2% in the December 2021 quarter.

Business NZ Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard told Mike Hosking that the biggest problems businesses are seeing is a slowdown in demand from consumers as opposed to unemployment.

It’s a bit of a crunchy time we’re going through, she said.

LISTEN ABOVE  

Unemployment is continuing to rise. 
New figures from Stats NZ show the unemployment rate was 4.3% in the March quarter, up 0.3 percentage points from 4% in the December quarter. 
The unemployment rate has been steadily rising since reaching a record low of 3.2% in the December 2021 quarter. 
Business NZ Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard told Mike Hosking that the biggest problems businesses are seeing is a slowdown in demand from consumers as opposed to unemployment. 
It’s a bit of a crunchy time we’re going through, she said. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition on Newstalk ZB.

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition on Newstalk ZB.

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition, hosted by Kate Hawkesby on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition on Newstalk ZB

Catherine Beard: Business NZ Director of Advocacy on how unemployment is impacting the business sector

Police response times in Australia’s Northern Territory have gotten worse.

A domestic violence inquest has heard that police response times have increased in the past year, more than doubling over the previous five.

NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy revealed that between 2022 and 2023, the number of hours spent on domestic violence cases increased from 712,000 to 882,000, costs increasing with them.

Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio told Mike Hosking that racism within the Northern Territory Police has also been put under the spotlight.

She said that allegations have been made that a serving officer circulated a photo of a topless aboriginal woman via a social media chat.

LISTEN ABOVE

Police response times in Australia’s Northern Territory have gotten worse. 
A domestic violence inquest has heard that police response times have increased in the past year, more than doubling over the previous five. 
NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy revealed that between 2022 and 2023, the number of hours spent on domestic violence cases increased from 712,000 to 882,000, costs increasing with them. 
Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio told Mike Hosking that racism within the Northern Territory Police has also been put under the spotlight. 
She said that allegations have been made that a serving officer circulated a photo of a topless aboriginal woman via a social media chat. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Donna Demaio: Australia Correspondent on the increased domestic violence response times in Australia's Northern Territory Police

Local councils want a new approach to move decision making away from central government and back into communities.

Local Government New Zealand is proposing city and regional deals, a system which would see councils team up with the government on specific projects.

Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe told Mike Hosking that it will give more control to local communities.

He says communities know what they want and should be allowed to deliver projects for themselves.

LISTEN ABOVE

Local councils want a new approach to move decision making away from central government and back into communities. 
Local Government New Zealand is proposing city and regional deals, a system which would see councils team up with the government on specific projects. 
Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe told Mike Hosking that it will give more control to local communities. 
He says communities know what they want and should be allowed to deliver projects for themselves. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Andrew Tripe: Whanganui Mayor on Local Government's proposal for city and regional deals

The death of Iran's President isn't expected to have immediate impacts internationally.

President Ebrahim Raisi and the foreign minister have been confirmed dead by state media after a helicopter crash near the Azerbaijan border.

Iran has announced five days of public mourning.

Otago University international relations professor Robert Patman told Mike Hosking reaction will come down to whether the crash is deemed an accident.

He says there will be serious international ramifications if foul play is found to be involved.

LISTEN ABOVE

The death of Iran's President isn't expected to have immediate impacts internationally. 
President Ebrahim Raisi and the foreign minister have been confirmed dead by state media after a helicopter crash near the Azerbaijan border. 
Iran has announced five days of public mourning. 
Otago University international relations professor Robert Patman told Mike Hosking reaction will come down to whether the crash is deemed an accident. 
He says there will be serious international ramifications if foul play is found to be involved. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Catherine Beard: Business NZ Director of Advocacy on how unemployment is impacting the business sector

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