Figures from Stats NZ have shed light on the number of people working from home in New Zealand.
About a third of employees worked from home at some point in the September 2024 quarter, according to data out today.
The total number of people working from home was 898,700 in the September quarter.
A quarter of those — or 240,000 — worked exclusively from home.
A total of 651,800 are “hybrid” workers — at home and at another location.
The top three industries with staff working from home are information and media telecommunications, financial and insurance services, and professional, scientific and technical services.
More than 40% of businesses offer a working from home option.
Between 2018 and 2023, the number of people working from home increased by nearly 60%, last year’s Census showed.
But the majority of employees — 1.8 million — still work away from home.
The unemployment rate rose from 4.6% to 4.8% in the September quarter, the highest level since December 2020.
It was below the Reserve Bank’s expectations, which were for a rate of 5%.