Wellington has most stable workforce in 2004

The capital city had the most stable workforce in 2004, according to a new data release from Statistics New Zealand.

The Linked Employer-Employee Data (Leed) results were released today for the first time. Statistics New Zealand said the data uses information from tax and other sources to provide information on the dynamics of the country's labour market.

The figures show that the Wellington region had an average quarterly worker turnover rate of 14.9 per cent in 2004, compared to a national average of 17 per cent.

The Tasman region had the highest average quarterly turnover rate of 23.6 per cent, which Stats NZ was due to the large number of seasonal employees working in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries.

The first Leed statistics release includes data from the June quarter of 1999, to the December quarter of 2004.

Stats NZ said other Leed information releases will include self-employment figures and information on job tenure and people holding more than one job.

- NZPA