Prime Minister John Key says it is all very well Labour setting a new target of 4 per cent unemployment but policies were more important than targets, and Labour's policies would increase unemployment.

Two British health researchers are gearing up to challenge New Zealanders' unusually high tolerance of what many countries consider a social evil - inequality.

New Zealand's unemployment rate was unchanged in the first quarter as the country's participation rate rose to a record.

Kiwi consumers are less financially stressed than Australians despite rising interest rates, a survey has found.

Just one in 100 beneficiaries who had pre-employment drug tests under a new government policy showed any sign of drug abuse.

Agricultural chemicals manufacturer Nufarm will close its plant in Auckland, with as many as 59 jobs to go in move to Australia.

Auckland employers will be challenged today to give young people a chance by hiring a young unemployed person.

Business confidence remains at multi-decade highs for the first three months of the year, although the strong upswing of previous quarters has flattened out

A meat worker sacked for refusing to work on the Sabbath has been awarded almost $30,000 compensation.

Investors are keeping a close eye on China because its growth rate is slowing and there are clear signs it has had a credit and property bubble, writes Brian Gaynor.

An Australian website that matches job-seekers with employers has launched in New Zealand today.

New Zealand's unemployment rate fell to a three-year low in the fourth quarter of 2013 as jobs growth beat expectations.

Advocates are upset an Australian company is the big winner in Winz experiment that will pay contractors up to $12k to help beneficiaries into paid work.

NZ business confidence has soared to a 20-year high, lifting hopes for profits, hiring and new investment.

ANZ says the "worm has turned " and employment trends now looking positive.

NZ's unemployment rate slipped to 6.2 per cent in the three months ended September 30 just below the 6.3 per cent forecast.

In small towns, mayors are as well placed as anyone to tackle unemployment.

All those who have been unemployed for three years in Britain will have to do some work or training in return for their benefits.

Employment courts are looking at company redundancy decisions to check that newly created jobs are not the same as the ones being axed and that there is a solid business case for cutting staff numbers.

Fastway Couriers is embarking on a new strategic direction to embrace opportunities in the market resulting from the growth in online retailing.

The Labour Party is calling on the Human Rights Commission to investigate concerns that disabled workers are losing their jobs at KFC because of its restructuring policy.

A group of long-serving KFC workers are being forced out of their jobs during a restructure which a union claims is deliberately targeting workers with disabilities.