Episode Details

The Bay of Plenty’s unemployment dipped to 5.8%, but it’s still tied for third highest nationally — behind Northland’s 8.8% and ahead of Auckland’s 6.5%. The drop isn’t due to fewer job losses, but more people actively hunting for work amid soaring living costs, especially fuel prices up 27.5%. Employers are hiring more steadily, but remain cautious — with biggest demand in healthcare, engineering, and trades. Some workers are turning to entrepreneurship instead of waiting for traditional roles. Yet on the ground, many report understaffing and fewer openings as people leave jobs, leaving existing workers overburdened. Wage growth lags inflation, and while new jobs pop up in select sectors, the overall picture remains tense — a complex economy where stability is elusive and expenses keep climbing.

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