Statistics New Zealand released its labour market data on late Tuesday evening. The unemployment rate rose to 5.9% in the second quarter from 5.8% in the first quarter, in line with expectations.

Employment increased 0.3% in the second quarter, after a 0.7% gain in the first quarter, missing expectations for a 0.5% rise.

The participation rate declined by 0.2% to 69.3% in the second quarter.

"Even though employment grew over the quarter, population growth was greater, which resulted in a lower overall employment rate for New Zealand," labour market and household statistics manager Diane Ramsay said.