Greg Smith

2.35 million.

So stronger than expected.

Actually continues to run in modest gains.

And more good news, Mike.

Annual growth back in the black.

We're up 0.3% year on year.

Not exactly off to the races, but positive nonetheless.

So the economy's added about 7,500 jobs more than a year ago.

I suppose the issue on the other side, we have got population growth around, I suppose it's 0.7, 0.8%.

So a little bit of a shortfall there.

But as an optimist, which we are, you could say there's been a gentle recovery taking shape.

But of course, then we've got the war to contend with.

But yeah, just drilling down the numbers, public sector, that's still leading the charge.

Healthcare public administration, they added around 5,000 jobs.

Tourism, that's helping on the edges.

But parts of the economy are still struggling.

So manufacturing, construction, perhaps no surprise, they've lost jobs.

Around about 3,000 each over the past year, or 1.5% former.

We've still got that regional divide, which we've seen in plenty of places.

So South Island doing well.