An expected quarterly rise in our unemployment rate. 

Stats NZ data shows it's at 3.9% for the three months to September, up from 3.6% last quarter, and 3.2% a year ago. 

NZ Herald Business Editor, Liam Dann, told Tim Beveridge that while unemployment going up isn’t generally considered a good thing, a bit of “slack” in the labour market is needed to help combat inflation. 

He said that 3.9% is still, historically, very low. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

• Unemployment up, wages rise as job market gets more ‘spare capacity’
• Spare capacity needed in labour market to bring down inflation - Economist
• Economist predicts rise in unemployment figures