Unemployment: how low can we go?

Unemployment: how low can we go?
Maximum sustainable employment: the concept that after a certain point, job growth creates inflation. (Image: Deposit Photos)
Jem Traylen
In part four of a deep dive into the state of our labour markets, BusinessDesk provides an explainer on what the Reserve Bank’s goal of supporting maximum sustainable employment (MSE) means in practice.Part One: Is the labour market tight or what? Part Two: How NZ became reliant on migrant workers. Part Three: How to fix NZ's skilled worker problemBack in March, Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) governor Adrian Orr said he would be waiting to see “the whites of the eyes of inflation and employment growth” b...

More Economy

Penk announces compulsory building warranties
Economy

Penk announces compulsory building warranties

Under the proposed change, those responsible pay their share only.

Westpac tips ‘Turneresque’ 25bp cut but says RBNZ could still channel McCullum
Economy

Westpac tips ‘Turneresque’ 25bp cut but says RBNZ could still channel McCullum

Westpac Bank is sticking to its view the central bank will cut rates by 25 basis points next week to 2.25% but says there’s a 25% chance it will opt to be more aggressive and cut by 50bps.The key question is whether the Reserve Bank's monetary policy committee thinks it will...

Rebecca Howard 19 Nov 2025
Argosy delivers strong first-half results
Economy

Argosy delivers strong first-half results

Earnings and net tangible asset value per share up. 

Andy Macdonald 19 Nov 2025
Asset Plus' first-half profit lower as Munroe Lane in focus
Economy

Asset Plus' first-half profit lower as Munroe Lane in focus

First-half net tangible assets per share down on the year. 

Andy Macdonald 19 Nov 2025