Figures released by Statistics NZ on Wednesday put the unemployment rate for Pacific peoples at 11.6 percent in the June 2026 quarter, or around 23,700 Pacific workers.
From June 2025 to 2026, 12 percent of Pasifika on average were seeking work, but had none – more than twice the annual average of 5.6 percent for the whole population.
Meanwhile, Pasifika underutilisation, a measure of those working less than they ought to, was 21.3 percent for the year, up 2.2 percent.
Nationwide unemployment rose to 5.6 percent this quarter, a level not reached since September 2015.
A total of 171,000 people were unemployed, a rise of 7000 on the previous quarter and 13,000 higher than a year ago. Male unemployment in particular was only higher than it is now in 2013.
Unemployment and underutilisation rates among Māori were also stubbornly high – 11 percent and 22 percent respectively, over the last year.
Pasifika unemployment climbed to a historic level of 12.2 percent in the December 2025 quarter.
