How will New Zealand’s economic slump play out for jobs – and October’s general election?
- Ordinary New Zealanders are struggling to pay the bills as the economy stagnates and interest rates are at their highest in years
- Some economists predict that worse is yet to come – with national polls just weeks away, and a ruling Labour Party that’s haemorrhaging support

It became the first Asia-Pacific nation to slip into a recession after its economic output retreated for two successive quarters from the tail end of last year. Government statistics released on Thursday show the economy started growing again in June, but only by a miserly 0.9 per cent.

New Zealand and neighbouring Australia have been battling fast-rising inflation in recent months, fuelled by stricken supply chains and shortages caused by a war half a world away in Europe.
A July survey of 1,000 people by independent research body Research New Zealand found that 33 per cent of respondents were going without medical care because of cost concerns, while 32 per cent struggled to pay for transport and 32 per cent had difficulties settling their utility bills.
