NZ workers fret over lack of job opportunities, job security: index

Employment confidence particularly weak in Northland. (Image: Getty)

Wed, 24 Sep 2025

Employment confidence in New Zealand is generally pessimistic, with people concerned by a perceived lack of job opportunities and low job security, research shows.The Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index rose by 1.1 points to 89.9 in the September quarter. This was from a reading of 88.8 in the June quarter.A reading below 100 suggested more households were pessimistic than optimistic.The latest results were marginally above lows in confidence seen during the covid pandemic, and a little worse than those at the time of the globa...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Economy

Willis, Edmonds offer 'boardroom' bipartisan vibes

'We are the centre, Labour and National,' said Labour's Barbara Edmonds.

Pattrick Smellie 12:28pm

Retail

Colin Neal over $6m out of pocket in Smiths City collapse

Neal said he was “saddened deeply” by the outcome.

Gregor Thompson 11:10am

Colin Neal over $6m out of pocket in Smiths City collapse

Energy

Rising energy costs are driving people to consider solar

But 53% say solar is too expensive.

Ian Llewellyn 10:57am

Rising energy costs are driving people to consider solar

Sponsored

AI agents: opportunity or graveyard? Spark’s five-point playbook for success

Artificial intelligence agents – autonomous digital entities that analyse data, automate decisions, and act independently – are set to drive a new wave of business transformation.

Spark Enterprise

Sponsored