Unemployment has risen again but economists don't think it's peaked yet.

Stats NZ figures out today show the rate reached 4.3% for the March quarter, up 0.3 percentage points from the December quarter's 4%.

It reflects the impacts of higher interest rates as the Reserve Bank keeps trying to rein in inflation.

Herald Business Editor at Large Liam Dann told Kerre Woodham that it's a slow and steady rise.

He says 134 thousand people are now unemployed, up from 122 thousand at the end of 2023, meaning 12 thousand jobs have gone.

LISTEN ABOVE  

Unemployment has risen again but economists don't think it's peaked yet. 
Stats NZ figures out today show the rate reached 4.3% for the March quarter, up 0.3 percentage points from the December quarter's 4%. 
It reflects the impacts of higher interest rates as the Reserve Bank keeps trying to rein in inflation. 
Herald Business Editor at Large Liam Dann told Kerre Woodham that it's a slow and steady rise. 
He says 134 thousand people are now unemployed, up from 122 thousand at the end of 2023, meaning 12 thousand jobs have gone. 
LISTEN ABOVE

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