Pasifika Unemployment Rate Remains Highest in New Zealand Despite Minor Improvements

The persistent high unemployment rate among Pasifika people in Aotearoa remains a critical concern, as highlighted by the latest figures for the first quarter of 2026. While the national unemployment rate hovers at 5.3 percent, the 11.9 percent rate for Pasifika underscores a deep-seated inequality that continues to plague our communities. Although there's been a marginal improvement from the previous quarter, the rate is still one percent higher than this time last year, and critically, double the national average. This situation is particularly stark in Auckland, where a significant portion of the Pasifika population resides, with an unemployment rate of 13 percent. The struggles are compounded by the underutilization of the workforce, with 20.1 percent of Pasifika people underutilized in their work. The recent report on the Pacific Employment Action Plan (PEAP) Fund, which has spent $2.4 million to help Pasifika find work, revealing it has only placed 84 people into full-time employment, is deeply disappointing. It points to systemic issues and the complex needs—such as mental health challenges, justice involvement, and low self-confidence—that are holding individuals back. From our perspective, these figures are not just statistics; they represent the lived realities of our families and communities, demanding more effective and culturally appropriate solutions than current initiatives are providing. The disconnect between government programs and tangible outcomes requires urgent attention and a more profound understanding of the barriers faced by Pasifika individuals seeking meaningful employment.

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It's still double what the national average is.