Highest Unemployment in New Zealand

Top 100 cities ranked by highest unemployment

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · New Zealand

Highest Unemployment — New Zealand

1 Kawerau E8 22.0%

2 Rotorua E8 15.0%

3 Tokoroa G1 12.3%

4 Wattle Downs E7 11.6%

5 Homai E7 11.2%

6 Otahuhu E7 11.2%

7 Cannons Creek G2 10.4%

8 Levin F3 10.3%

9 Dunedin F7 10.2%

10 Mangere E7 10.1%

11 Invercargill F8 10.1%

12 Wiri E7 10.0%

13 Raumanga F6 10.0%

14 Palmerston North F3 9.8%

15 Favona E7 9.7%

16 Otara E7 9.6%

17 Henderson E7 8.9%

18 Auckland E7 8.8%

19 Mount Cook G2 8.8%

20 Manurewa E7 8.7%

21 Kaitaia F6 8.7%

22 Whanganui F3 8.2%

23 Tamaki E7 8.1%

24 Whangarei F6 8.0%

25 Papakura E7 7.8%

26 Taita G2 7.8%

27 Naenae G2 7.7%

28 Hornby E9 7.7%

29 Wellington G2 7.6%

30 Ngaruawahia G1 7.5%

31 North East Valley F7 7.5%

32 Flaxmere F2 7.3%

33 Upper Riccarton E9 7.3%

34 Thames G1 7.2%

35 New Lynn E7 7.1%

36 West Harbour E7 7.0%

37 Frankton Junction G1 7.0%

38 Mangere East E7 7.0%

39 Glendene E7 7.0%

40 Hawera F9 6.8%

41 Hastings F2 6.7%

42 Papatoetoe E7 6.7%

43 Dargaville F6 6.7%

44 Claudelands G1 6.7%

45 Whakatane E8 6.6%

46 West End F3 6.5%

47 Terrace End F3 6.5%

48 Titahi Bay G2 6.5%

49 Tauranga E8 6.5%

50 Glen Innes E7 6.4%

51 Ilam E9 6.4%

52 Napier F2 6.4%

53 Newtown G2 6.3%

54 Awapuni F3 6.3%

55 Gisborne F1 6.2%

56 Timaru E9 6.2%

57 New Plymouth F9 6.2%

58 Papanui E9 6.2%

59 Tikipunga F6 6.1%

60 Mount Maunganui E8 6.1%

61 Otaki G2 6.0%

62 Massey E7 6.0%

63 Dannevirke F3 5.9%

64 Hamilton East G1 5.9%

65 Marton F3 5.8%

66 Mangapapa F1 5.8%

67 Ngongotaha E8 5.8%

68 Avalon G2 5.7%

69 Oamaru F7 5.7%

70 Stokes Valley G2 5.6%

71 Kerikeri F6 5.4%

72 Epsom E7 5.3%

73 Huntly G1 5.3%

74 Homedale G2 5.3%

75 Waitara F9 5.3%

76 Whitianga G1 5.2%

77 Bryndwr E9 5.2%

78 Albany E7 5.2%

79 Sunnyvale E7 5.2%

80 Wainuiomata G2 5.1%

81 Kelston E7 5.1%

82 Takaro F3 5.1%

83 Raumati Beach G2 5.1%

84 Stoke F5 5.1%

85 Saint Kilda F7 5.1%

86 Oteha Valley E7 5.1%

87 Vogeltown F9 5.1%

88 North Shore E7 5.1%

89 Te Atatu South E7 5.1%

90 Te Aro G2 5.1%

91 Papatowai F7 5.1%

92 Rosedale F8 5.1%

93 Pukekohe East E7 5.1%

94 Manukau City E7 5.1%

95 Lower Hutt G2 5.1%

96 Massey East E7 5.1%

97 Havelock North F2 5.1%

98 Beachlands E7 5.1%

99 Pakuranga E7 5.0%

100 Onerahi F6 5.0%

Cities with the highest unemployment rates in New Zealand face significant economic challenges. Kawerau has an unemployment rate of 22.0%. These communities often struggle with limited job opportunities, industry decline, or seasonal employment patterns.

High unemployment can have cascading effects on a community, including reduced consumer spending, lower tax revenues, and increased demand for social services. Understanding the causes — whether structural, cyclical, or seasonal — is important for developing effective solutions.

Many cities with high unemployment are actively working to diversify their economies, attract new industries, and invest in workforce development programs to help residents gain skills for in-demand occupations.

Did You Know?

1. In Kawerau, about 1 in 5 workers is looking for a job.
2. Seasonal economies (tourism, agriculture) can cause unemployment rates to fluctuate dramatically throughout the year.
3. Many high-unemployment cities have seen improvement through targeted economic development and workforce training programs.

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