The jobless rate rose to 7.3 percent in the fourth quarter from 6.5 percent in
the previous three months, Statistics New Zealand said in Wellington today. The
median of 10 estimates in a Bloomberg News survey of economists was for 6.8
percent. Unemployment now exceeds the peak forecast
* Kiwi a touch firmer as risk appetite picks up WELLINGTON, Feb 3 (Reuters) -
The New Zealand dollar was a touch firmer but off its highs on Wednesday as
renewed concerns about China's bank lending policies offset a boost from
increased risk appetite on an improved global economic
The jobless rate rose to 7.3 percent in the fourth quarter from 6.5 percent in
the previous three months, Statistics New Zealand said in Wellington today. The
median of 10 estimates in a Bloomberg News survey of economists was for 6.8
percent. Unemployment now exceeds the peak forecast
