Employment was weaker than expected in Q3 but still positive. Jobs rose by 1.1% y-o-y (vs. consensus of 1.6%) and the unemployment rate ticked up to 6.6% (vs. 6.4%).

Rising unemployment puts the lie to National's claims that there are plenty of jobs out there says Sue Bradford, Mana's spokesperson on Livelihoods.

The relatively flat 6.6 per cent unemployment rate in September underlines the importance of the Government continuing with strong and stable economic management, Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett says.

Although an extra 5,000 people were employed in the September 2011 quarter, the unemployment rate remained relatively flat at 6.6 percent, up from 6.5 percent in the June 2011 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today.

The cost of living grew at more than twice the rate of wages over the last year, Labour Leader Phil Goff says. "Families are finding it hard to make ends meet and there is no sign that things are getting better," Phil Goff said.

Salary and wage rates, which include overtime, increased 2.0 percent in the year to the September 2011 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today. This includes a rise of 0.6 percent in the September quarter.

The majority of New Zealand employers take two - four weeks to source suitable talent, according to Robert Walters' inaugural Employer Insights Survey.

National's employment policy is a leap backwards with plans to introduce youth rates through the back door, further strip away workers' rights and give more bargaining power to employers, says the EPMU, the country's largest private sector union.

An independent evaluative report released this week into the Learning Representative Programme shows that workplace learning supported by Learning Representatives (Learning Reps) led to improved individual worker and workplace performance.

Counter offers in the workplace had all but disappeared in the past three years as workers 'bedded down' in current roles during the recession - but now they are back.

The number of seasonally adjusted filled jobs held by wage and salary earners increased again in August, Statistics New Zealand said today. This was the 16th straight month of positive annual change, according to Statistics NZ's national employment indicator.

The 2.4 percent increase in the index of labour costs, is still far below cost rises which rose 5.3 percent over the same period. Even without the 20 percent increase in GST, costs rose faster at 3.3 percent, says CTU Economist, Bill Rosenberg.

While total labour costs rose 2.4 percent in the year to the June 2011 quarter, non-wage labour costs rose 4.9 percent, Statistics New Zealand said today.

To complement the Robert Walters Global Salary Survey published every January, the New Zealand offices of global recruitment firm Robert Walters today released their Employment Market Updates for the third quarter of 2011.

Agriculture and fishery workers were the most likely occupation group to make a claim to the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) for a work-related injury, Statistics New Zealand said today.

We don't need backward looking policies like the one today on industrial relations from the Labour Party, says Kim Campbell, chief executive of the Employers' and Manufacturers' Association.

Working remotely is an increasing trend in New Zealand businesses and Robert Half data shows many Kiwis harness the power of technology to 'check in' when away from the office.

While making it to the Rugby World Cup final is an amazing achievement for New Zealand and a welcome boost in a year filled with tragedy and challenges, the event does not appear to be having the anticipated effect on organisations, with only a 10 per cent increase in sales and revenue being repo

New Zealand workers' confidence in finding a new job rose to its highest level this year, according to the latest Randstad Workmonitor Mobility Index.

The Rugby World Cup and upcoming election in November are making their mark on hiring activity in New Zealand's recruitment market this quarter, says recruiting expert Hays.

New Zealand Income Survey results for the June 2011 quarter showed the smallest annual percentage increase in median hourly earnings since the June 2000 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today.

People considering stonemasonry as a career or interest to follow are urged to register soon for the year long 2012 Otago Polytechnic Certificate in Stonemasonry (Level 4).

New data from SEEK New Zealand reveals high paying job listings are on the rise, with a 30% increase over the past year for jobs listed with a salary of over $100,000 per annum ($100K+).

John Key says New Zealand might "muddle through" under National, but woeful economic management means almost 47,000 fewer Kiwis are employed now than when he took office, says Labour's Employment spokesperson Jacinda Ardern.

The number of seasonally adjusted filled jobs grew over the year to July 2011 according to the national employment indicator, Statistics New Zealand said today. However, the number of seasonally adjusted filled jobs dropped slightly from June 2011.

Baby Boomers are increasingly technologically savvy, according to a survey commissioned by leading 50+ community website, GrownUps.

Nearly a third of New Zealand employees surveyed (32.8%) cite acknowledgement and appreciation as their key motivator in the workplace, with a lowly 11.8% rating money as their first priority, according to the second edition of the Employee Insights Survey conducted by leading international recru

"Households have become slightly less optimistic about their job and earning prospects than they were three months ago," said Westpac Chief Economist Dominick Stephens.

The increase of only 0.1 percent in GDP in the June quarter, well below most forecasts, is not good news for reducing unemployment and raising wages, says CTU Economist, Bill Rosenberg.

More than a thousand hopefuls have applied for the 170 positions available at Christchurch's $19 million New World Ilam supermarket which is due to open its doors on November 17. The high level of interest came as no surprise to owner/operator Phillip Blackburn who was expecting it.