New Zealand's unemployment rate is 0.4 percent above Australia's, the worst result since 2012.
"I am one of the team that doesn't even shop at my own store because I can't afford to."
But one region is bucking the trend.
Consultation on the move is taking place this week.
Waikato Hospital is sending some emergency patients to other hospitals due to a staff shortage.
Times might be tough, but there's one glimmer of (possible) relief.
It's another requirement in the Coalition Government's crackdown on beneficiaries.
A lot of people are "super stressed" about their bills amid the high cost of living.
One applicant said candidates are "desperate, overqualified and willing to compromise".
Following a review, the parties agreed trainees in the second part of the course will be paid as employees of Airways NZ.
Bad news if you are in the market for a new job.
Tony Alexander says the economic pain "is going to get a lot worse" before the end of the year.
A new phenomenon called 'ghost jobs' has been infiltrating the job market overseas.
More than 6000 public sector jobs are already gone or are proposed to be slashed.
More than 700 roles were set to go as part of a Government directive for savings.
The advice might make the average jobseeker cringe, but a recruitment expert said it's key to standing out.
"It's a sign of slack emerging in the labour market."
The PSA union says the losses equate to one in six positions being cut.
The airline is making it easier to pursue a career in aviation.
"We've never even been to NZ. We don't know anyone out there."
"The upward trend in employment has coincided with a lift in the average wage rate as well."
Major changes could be underway for part-time workers' sick leave.
It would include changing annual leave from an entitlement system to an accrual system and pro-rating sick leave.
"We need to be able to respond to the future needs of Aotearoa New Zealand after the economy has recovered."
Job cuts and a tighter job market could be weighing on the property market and asking prices.
Already more than 5000 public sector jobs have gone or are proposed to be cut, but there are still more to go.
"We go faster and faster, we go shallower and shallower and very little of value actually gets done."
More than 1200 people came to work in jobs for the recovery effort after Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland floods.
Kiwi employees aren't keen to give up WFH it seems.
It depends which generation you ask.
