The Key Information Tool (KIT) gives users headline labour market information in a single, easy to access place.  The tool has been developed with three layers of information.  The first layer gives key labour market indicators for the latest quarter while the second gives more detailed time series information for each variable and the third provides further breakdowns for key groups such as ethnic and age groups.  The tool also includes links to labour market reports on the DoL website so that people can easily access related analytical work.

Information in KIT covers a range of regularly reported labour market indicators.  Information is included on the Household Labour Force Survey; GDP, Productivity; Work Stoppages, Work Injuries and Wage statistics; MSD Benefit data; international comparisons; and Migration.  The combination of these various data sources produces a well rounded picture of the state of the New Zealand labour market. Click here to open KIT [MS Excel 2003 2.6MB].

Troubleshooting for KIT

To view headline data:

• Open the “Headline indicators” sheet (this is the sheet that KIT opens by default)
• Key indicators are shown on the left hand side with their value at the time of the last KIT update and the period that this value relates to.
• Descriptions of the variables can be found by hovering the mouse over the variable name.
• You can return to this sheet at any time by clicking on the “Return to Key Indicators” link.

To view timeseries data:

• Click on any of the variable names (these are in blue).
• This opens a worksheet that includes data as far back as it is available plus a graph of the observations for the past 10 years (or shorter if less is available).
• The data or graph can be copied and pasted into other applications including Word or PowerPoint to use in reports or presentations.

To view data for a group of interest (eg for a region, ethnic group, gender or age)

• Click on the link to the desired breakdown, these are found just to the right of the main variables on the “Headline indicators” worksheet.
• Select the variable of interest (eg unemployment rate, employed) from the drop down box at the top left hand corner of the screen.
• For regions or ages you can select a specific group of interest and a comparison group.  Select the group of interest (eg the Waikato region) from the drop down box in the centre of the top of the workbook and select the comparison group (eg NZ or Auckland region) from the right hand side.

Updates

KIT will be updated every 3 months.  Information on when KIT was updated and when it will next be updated is included in the ‘Key Indicators’ sheet.