Methodology
Data is derived from the Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS) through the Integrated Data Infrastructure.
Underutilisation is a measurement of labour force efficiency. It combines those working but seeking more hours of work (underemployment), those seeking work (unemployment), as well as those who aren't seeking working but would either take a job if offered or will start seeking work soon (potential labour force).
The HLFS does not capture those those who are employed under their skill level, e.g. someone working in a fast food chain with a masters degree in engineering.
Access to the data used in this study was provided by Stats NZ under conditions designed to give effect to the security and confidentiality provisions of the Data and Statistics Act 2022. The results presented in this study are the work of the author, not Stats NZ or individual data suppliers.
These results are not official statistics. They have been created for research purposes from the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) which is carefully managed by Stats NZ. For more information about the IDI please visit https://www.stats.govt.nz/integrated-data/.
The results are based in part on tax data supplied by Inland Revenue to Stats NZ under the Tax Administration Act 1994 for statistical purposes. Any discussion of data limitations or weaknesses is in the context of using the IDI for statistical purposes, and is not related to the data's ability to support Inland Revenue's core operational requirements.
