An increase in the number of women entering the New Zealand workforce has resulted in the country’s rate of unemployment falling 0.1 per cent to 3.4 per cent nationwide, a record that shows the lowest figures of unemployment in the country since the survey began in 1986.

Statistics New Zealand had also reported the highest recorded number of employees in the country’s workforce as well as the greatest ever workforce participation rates the nation has ever seen. This has been partially attributed to the rise of new migrants with New Zealand skilled visas.

Over the quarter of December 2007, Employment increased by 23,000 (1.1 percent) to reach 2,173,000. this was attributed to a growth in female employment, meaning that overall, full-time employment grew by 26,000 (1.6 percent), and part-time employment dropped by 1,000 (0.2 percent).

New Zealand’s unemployment rate is fifth lowest in the OECD, and compares with 5.5 percent for the whole of the OECD.