Bay of Plenty's unemployment rate was 5.1 per cent in the June 2016 quarter, according to figures released by Statistics New Zealand this week.

The Household Labour Force Survey shows unemployment in the Bay rate rose from 4.7 per cent in the March quarter, but fell significantly from 6.2 per cent in the June 2015 quarter.

Bay of Plenty's unemployment rate was 5.1 per cent in the June 2016 quarter. File Photo

Across New Zealand, unemployment fell from 5.2 per cent in the March quarter to 5.1 per cent in the June 2016 quarter.

The rate was also down from 5.5 per cent in the June 2015 quarter, particularly for women.

'Compared with June 2015, there were 8000 fewer unemployed women, and their unemployment rate fell from 6.2 per cent to 5.4 per cent,” says labour and income statistics manager Mark Gordon.

Unemployment in the North Island has also decreased to 5.2 per cent, reducing the gap between the North and South Islands.

Auckland's unemployment rate is 4.7 per cent, the lowest since 2008, and there were also significant decreases in Taranaki, Hawke's Bay/Gisborne and Manawatu/Whanganui.

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says the New Zealand economy continues to produce strong job growth.

'There were 58,000 more people in employment over the last quarter and 327,000 more jobs have now been created in New Zealand since the worst times of the Global Financial Crisis, that's a 15 per cent overall increase.”

This is the first release under the new HLFS design which brings New Zealand in line with international standards. The new survey has retrospectively adjusted unemployment rates to make them comparable with other countries.

In the June quarter New Zealand has the fourth highest rate of employment in the OECD and the fifth highest labour market participation rate.

'A new measure in the revised survey is underutilisation, which measures those who could work more if given the opportunity. New Zealand's underutilisation rate is 12.8 per cent which is lower than the OECD average of 14.1 per cent. Australia's is 21.8 per cent.”

Steven Joyce says since 2008, New Zealanders' average annual wages are up 25 per cent, more than twice the rate of inflation.

'While the international environment remains challenging this progress in job and wage growth shows that the Government's macroeconomic settings and the Business Growth Agenda are together delivering positive results for Kiwis and their families,” says Steven.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HOUSEHOLD LABOUR FORCE SURVEY:

• Those not in employment, education or training was 10.7 per cent, down 1.7 per cent - the lowest since September 2008
• There were 8000 fewer unemployed women over the past year
• Māori unemployment fell to 11 per cent, down from 12.2 per cent a year ago
• Pasifika unemployment is 9.1 per cent, down 1 per cent from a year ago

For more information and to read the Household Labour Force Survey in full visit the Statistics New Zealand website.