Stats NZ today reported unemployment rose to 5.6% in the June 2026 quarter, up from 5.3% in the March quarter. EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald says the result highlights the pressure many businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, have faced over recent months. “Many businesses have been focused on retaining the staff they already have rather than taking on new employees. The volatility we saw during the quarter affected confidence, investment decisions and hiring intentions.” If uncertainty eases and confidence continues to improve, we would expect hiring intentions to strengthen over the coming months.”