A bump to New Zealand's unemployment figures is forecast later this morning. 

A number of economists believe it will land at 4.3%, up from the September quarter's 3.9%. 

ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley agrees. 

He told Mike Hosking that it's important to bear in mind that these figures bounce around quarter-to-quarter. 

Tuffley says the trend they're looking for is the weaker labour market, slowing employment growth, and slowing wage growth. 

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• Economists predict spike in unemployment rate