Unemployment remains high under National – Labour

“This is the cost of a Government that governs by cuts: more Kiwis out of work and leaving for Australia, crumbling hospitals, and a shortage of affordable housing,” Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said.

“They’ve also completely abandoned women’s equality with their shameful move to scrap pay equity claims. Women still have more than double the rate of underemployment as men. National has betrayed women on both fronts: jobs and wages.

“These weak workforce numbers are the result of Nicola Willis and Christopher Luxon’s disastrous choices. They chose to scrap housing and infrastructure projects that our communities rely on. They chose to lay off thousands of public servants. They chose to weaken worker protections and cancel pay equity claims.

“In the March 2025 quarter, 45,000 fewer New Zealanders were employed full-time, compared with the March 2024 quarter. We continue to lose thousands of construction jobs. Women’s unemployment also remains higher than the national average at 5.3%.

“And as if high unemployment isn’t bad enough, Nicola Willis’ slash-and-burn Budget next week promises even more pain for Kiwis.

“They’ve refused to rule out cuts to KiwiSaver and Best Start and they’re scrapping pay equity claims, all to fund tax cuts for landlords and handouts for tobacco companies. It’s outrageous that in their crusade for Budget surplus they’re taking it from women, families, and retirees.

“Labour believes in rebuilding an economy that works for everyone, with well-paying jobs, quality healthcare, and affordable housing. We are fighting for equal pay and stronger protection for workers,” Barbara Edmonds said.