New Zealand's unemployment rate surged back to a 10-year high in the last quarter, rising from 6 per cent to 6.8 per cent, a leap which surprised analysts.

Salaries and wages are going up slowly, with a small rise in the June quarter showing employment is barely picking up.

Andrew Little writes that changes to laws that take away workers' rights are unfair and unjust.

A hike in the number of jobs advertised online is good news for the economy and labour market, a new report says.

The NZ dollar peeked above US71c for the first time since late June as good economic data from the US and Australia restored faith in the global economic recovery.

Californians don't see much evidence of the recession coming to an end anytime soon.

Silver Fern Farms says it's preparing to cut up to 174 jobs from its Christchurch meatworks, the Belfast Rd site and the Canterbury lamb cutting works at Factory Rd.

NZ employers are more optimistic than they have been in two years, prompting speculation hiring activity could soon return to pre-recession levels.