New Zealand’s labour market showed renewed momentum in the fourth quarter of 2025, with employment rising 0.5% quarter-over-quarter, according to data updated on 3 February 2026. This marks a clear improvement from the previous quarter, when employment growth was flat at 0.0% in the third quarter of 2025.
The quarter-over-quarter comparison indicates that hiring activity picked up after a period of stagnation, with the current quarter’s 0.5% increase measured against Q3 2025, while the earlier 0.0% figure reflected conditions relative to the second quarter. The latest data suggests that employers in New Zealand have resumed adding jobs, potentially signaling improving business confidence and a more supportive backdrop for household incomes as the country moves into 2026.
