---Earlier:New Zealand's jobless rate climbed to its highest since 2015 as more people entered the workforce than the economy could absorb, keeping wage pressures subdued and the RBNZ on a gradual tightening path. The reading topped market forecasts of 5.4% and marked the highest jobless rate since late 2015, landing as a setback for the centre-right government months ahead of a general election. With that much slack evident, annual wage growth held at a subdued 2.0%, with private sector wages edging up slightly to 2.1%, both comfortably below the current pace of inflation. RBNZ policymakers have signalled further rate increases will be needed given that current rates remain well below most estimates of the neutral rate, which are generally clustered around 3.0% to 3.25%. The kiwi dollar dipped following the release of the jobs figures, reflecting the market's initial read that labour market slack could ultimately temper the pace of further tightening even as headline inflation remains elevated.