Wellington | New Zealand’s unemployment rate fell more than forecast in the second quarter as the economy’s recovery boosted hiring and began to stoke wage inflation. The kiwi dollar rose as traders bet the central bank could increase interest rates in two weeks.

The jobless rate fell to 4 per cent from a revised 4.6 per cent in the first quarter, Statistics New Zealand said on Wednesday in Wellington. Economists expected 4.4 per cent . Employment rose 1 per cent from the previous three months. Private sector, ordinary time wages increased the most in 13 years.

Bloomberg