Pasifika unemployment remains twice the national rate

Unemployment among Pacific peoples in New Zealand remains critically high, standing at more than double the national average. In the June 2026 quarter, the unemployment rate for the Pasifika community was 11.6 percent, affecting approximately 23,700 individuals. This figure highlights a persistent economic challenge for this demographic.

The national unemployment rate, meanwhile, has climbed to 5.6 percent, a level not seen since September 2015. This overall increase means that while the broader population faces growing job scarcity, the Pasifika community is disproportionately affected. The annual average unemployment rate for Pacific peoples from June 2025 to 2026 was 12 percent, more than twice the 5.6 percent average for the entire country.

Beyond unemployment, underutilization, a measure of those working fewer hours than they desire or are qualified for, also presents a significant issue for the Pasifika community. Their underutilization rate stood at 21.3 percent for the year, an increase of 2.2 percent. This suggests that even among those employed, many are not reaching their full potential.

Māori unemployment and underutilization rates also show stubbornly high figures, with unemployment at 11 percent and underutilization at 22 percent over the past year. These statistics underscore broader systemic issues affecting indigenous and minority populations in New Zealand's labor market. Pasifika unemployment had previously reached a historic peak of 12.2 percent in the December 2025 quarter, indicating a long-standing struggle for economic parity.