New Zealand jobless rate rises to four-year high

Unemployment climbed to 5.1% in the fourth quarter from 4.8% in the third. — Bloomberg

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s jobless rate rose to a four-year high at the end of last year as hiring fell in the wake of a sharp recession.

Unemployment climbed to 5.1% in the fourth quarter from 4.8% in the third, Statistics New Zealand said yesterday. Economists expected 5.1%.