Labour force categories used in the Household Labour Force Survey

The usually resident (expecting to live in New Zealand for more than 12 months), non-institutionalised, civilian population of New Zealand aged 15 years and over who live in private dwellings. Working-age population excludes overseas diplomats, their families, and staff.

Sex, age, qualification(s) gained, ethnic group, regional council area, formal study status.

All people in the working-age population who, during the reference week:

• worked for one hour or more for pay or profit in the context of an employee/employer relationship or self-employment
• worked without pay for one hour or more in work that contributed directly to a farm, business, or professional practice operation owned or operated by a relative
• had a job but were not at work due to: their own illness or injury, personal or family responsibilities, bad weather or mechanical breakdown, direct involvement in an industrial dispute, or leave or holiday.

Definition

The number of employed people expressed as a percentage of the working-age population.

Breakdown

Sex, age, ethnic group, regional council area, formal study status, marital status, qualification(s) gained. 

Series

Unadjusted (all breakdowns); seasonally adjusted and trend series are available for sex only.

• were without a paid job, and
• were available for work, and
• had either actively sought work in the four weeks ending with the reference week, or had a new job to start within the next four weeks.

Note that the number of unemployed differs from the number of people registered as unemployed or the number of unemployment benefit recipients. For more information please refer to A Guide to Unemployment Statistics.

Anyone in the working-age population who is neither employed nor unemployed. This residual category includes people who:

• are retired
• have personal or family responsibilities such as unpaid housework and childcare
• attend educational institutions
• are permanently unable to work due to physical or mental disabilities
• were temporarily unavailable for work in the survey reference week
• are not actively seeking work.

Employed people who work part-time (ie usually work less than 30 hours in all jobs) and would prefer to work more hours and are available to do so. 

Young people aged 15–24 years who are unemployed (part of the labour force) and not engaged in education or training, and those not in the labour force, and not engaged in education or training due to multiple reasons.