Labour costs in New Zealand increased 0.5% quarter-on-quarter to 1,450 points in the first quarter of 2026, up from 1,443 points in the fourth quarter of 2025 and slightly above the market forecast of a 0.4% rise. source: Statistics New Zealand

Labour Costs in New Zealand averaged 1005.98 points from 1992 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 1450.00 points in the first quarter of 2026 and a record low of 706.43 points in the fourth quarter of 1992. This page provides - New Zealand Labour Costs - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. New Zealand Labour Costs - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Labour Costs in New Zealand is expected to be 1454.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the New Zealand Labour Costs is projected to trend around 1515.00 points in 2027 and 1552.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-03 09:45 PM
Labour Costs Index QoQ
Q4 0.4% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%
2026-05-05 10:45 PM
Labour Costs Index QoQ
Q1 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.5%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 2889.00 2885.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Employment Change 0.20 0.50 percent Mar 2026
Employment Rate 66.70 66.70 percent Mar 2026
Full Time Employment 2303.00 2300.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Participation Rate 70.40 70.50 percent Mar 2026
Labour Costs Index 1450.00 1443.00 points Mar 2026
Part Time Employment 588.00 585.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Population 5.34 5.31 Million Dec 2025
Productivity 1391.00 1380.00 points Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 163.00 165.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Unemployment Rate 5.30 5.40 percent Mar 2026
Wages 44.20 44.08 NZD/Hour Mar 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 40.66 40.54 NZD/Hour Mar 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 15.90 13.50 percent Mar 2026


New Zealand Labour Costs
In New Zealand, the labor cost index measures changes in salary and wage rates for a fixed quantity and quality of labor input.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
1450.00 1443.00 1450.00 706.43 1992 - 2026 points Quarterly
2009Q2=1000, NSA