Waiting for the third wave of unemployment

Waiting for the third wave of unemployment
Andy Fyers
Fewer than 1,000 workers are being supported by the wage subsidy, according to the latest data.The scheme that has supported businesses to pay almost 1.8 million workers since April is finally winding up. But a much-anticipated third wave of unemployment does not appear to be materialising as expected.The first wave occurred from March to May as the lockdown and initial covid uncertainty took a toll on the labour market. The second came from June to September as the initial 12-week wage subsidy came to an end. That also coincided with...

More Economy

Manufacturing activity hits four-year high in December
Economy

Manufacturing activity hits four-year high in December

December's activity for New Zealand’s manufacturing sector hit a four-year high.The seasonally adjusted BNZ – BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) for December was 56.1 (a PMI reading above 50.0 indicates that manufacturing is generally expanding; below 50.0 th...

Rebecca Howard 16 Jan 2026
EB Games demise sign of the times – analyst
Retail

EB Games demise sign of the times – analyst

All 38 EB Games stores in NZ will shut their doors by Jan 31, 2026.

Jaime Lyth 15 Jan 2026
The battle for the central bank's 'soul'
Opinion

Cameron Bagrie: The battle for the central bank's 'soul'

Central banks might have pushed too far into the twilight zone.

Cameron Bagrie 15 Jan 2026
Annual building consents up 7%
Economy

Annual building consents up 7%

Townhouses and apartments up, but retirement village units down.

Maria Slade 14 Jan 2026