New jobs data out today spells worry for New Zealand’s economy. 

The unemployment rate was 5.4% in the December 2025 quarter – the highest since September 2015. 

Most banks had expected unemployment to hold steady at 5.3%, ASB was a bit more bullish picking 5.2%. 

It means 165,000 people were unemployed last quarter – a quarterly increase of 5,000 people...  

But, what does it all mean? What sectors are struggling? And can the government keep calling it all the “mess they inherited”?  

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large, Liam Dann, is with us to dive into the data.  

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

New jobs data out today spells&nbsp;worry&nbsp;for New Zealand&rsquo;s economy.&nbsp;
The unemployment rate was 5.4% in the December 2025 quarter &ndash; the highest since September 2015.&nbsp;
Most banks had expected unemployment to hold steady at 5.3%, ASB was a bit more bullish picking 5.2%.&nbsp;
It means 165,000 people were unemployed last quarter &ndash; a quarterly increase of 5,000 people...&nbsp;&nbsp;
But,&nbsp;what does it all mean? What sectors are&nbsp;struggling? And can the government keep calling it&nbsp;all&nbsp;the &ldquo;mess they inherited&rdquo;?&nbsp;&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;NZ Herald business editor at large, Liam Dann, is with us to dive into the data.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.

Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. 

Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.
Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture.&nbsp;
Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Every day, The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald. Hosted by Damien Venuto

The Front Page

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Why our unemployment rate is still 'pretty lousy'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a18ef56f-db68-4d5f-b08c-b3e7003a6213/transcript

It’s been revealed that Ardie Savea’s future with the All Blacks hung in the balance.

His push to quit was amid whispers of player discontent and coaching fractures exposing deep cracks in the team’s foundations.

Players apparently openly questions coaching, discipline, and its overall direction.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald rugby analyst, Gregor Paul, joins us to break down the inside story, and the deeper turmoil inside the All Blacks.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

It&rsquo;s been revealed that Ardie Savea&rsquo;s future with the All Blacks hung in the balance.
His push to quit was amid whispers of player discontent and coaching fractures exposing deep cracks in the team&rsquo;s foundations.
Players apparently openly questions coaching, discipline, and its overall direction.
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald rugby analyst, Gregor Paul, joins us to break down the inside story, and the deeper turmoil inside the All Blacks.
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee

Savea's wake-up call to NZ rugby and the All Blacks

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/03ada1f1-48ef-4e73-aeb7-b4200017a402/transcript

The financial year is coming to an end. 

It means we’ll see a whole bunch of policies and adjustments from April 1.  

Everything from crayfish catch limits and Pharmac funding to changes to the Living and Minimum wages. 

Super annuitants, working families, students and beneficiaries are among those who will receive additional support. 

On the law-and-order front, the government’s crackdown on drug drivers is set to ramp up.

And power bills are expected to increase, after the Commerce Commission agreed to let local lines companies, and Transport, charge households and businesses more a couple years ago.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large, Liam Dann, is with us to break down what changes are in the works, and what it might mean for you – and our economy.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

The&nbsp;financial year&nbsp;is coming to an end.&nbsp;
It means&nbsp;we&rsquo;ll&nbsp;see a whole bunch of policies and adjustments&nbsp;from April 1.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Everything from crayfish&nbsp;catch&nbsp;limits and&nbsp;Pharmac&nbsp;funding to&nbsp;changes to the Living and Minimum wages.&nbsp;
Super annuitants, working families,&nbsp;students&nbsp;and beneficiaries are among those who will receive&nbsp;additional&nbsp;support.&nbsp;
On the law-and-order front, the government&rsquo;s crackdown on drug drivers is set to ramp up.
And power bills are expected to increase, after the Commerce Commission agreed to let local lines companies, and Transport, charge households and businesses more a couple years ago.
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large, Liam Dann, is with us to break down what changes are in the works, and what it might mean for you &ndash; and our economy.
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee

How new financial year rules will hit your pay, benefits and household costs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/369335f1-1714-4452-b32e-b41f0029bc24/transcript

With the word ‘crisis’ now comes talk about working from home.

As oil prices rise and the cost of petrol surges towards $4 a litre, it’s been flagged as a potential voluntary measure in contingency plans.

There’s been no direct government endorsement or mandate for working from home, but it’s been recognised as a possible fuel-saving step if the crisis worsens, alongside prioritising essential sectors.

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago business school associate professor Paula O’Kane is with us to take us through different ways of working, and what businesses could do to help out their employees.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

With the word &lsquo;crisis&rsquo; now comes talk about working from home.
As oil prices rise and the cost of petrol surges towards $4 a litre, it&rsquo;s been flagged as a potential voluntary measure in contingency plans.
There&rsquo;s been no direct government endorsement or mandate for working from home, but it&rsquo;s been recognised as a possible fuel-saving step if the crisis worsens, alongside prioritising essential sectors.
Today on The Front Page, University of Otago business school associate professor Paula O&rsquo;Kane is with us to take us through different ways of working, and what businesses could do to help out their employees.
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee

Could working from home be the answer to rising fuel prices?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2e383680-b709-4263-995a-b41e0026fa1e/transcript

Why our unemployment rate is still 'pretty lousy'

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