Mark Smith: ASB Senior Economist on the unemployment rate due out today

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge · May 6, 2025 · 2m · transcript

Mixed opinions on when unemployment will reach its peak.

Stats NZ data out this morning is predicted to show rates increased to around 5.2% during the March quarter.

ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner expects this will likely be as high as it will go.

While ASB senior economist Mark Smith told Ryan Bridge it could be a bit higher later in the year.

He says they've seen firms hold back on hiring as disruptions to trade and economic concerns continue.

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