Statistics New Zealand figures show unemployment is consistently lower in the South Island than the North Island.
Unemployment in the South has been lower than in the North for several quarters.
Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough/West Coast had the only significant change in the three months ending September, down to 2.8% and falling 2.2% from September last year.
It was the lowest unemployment rate for the region since December 2007 and bringing it to a similar level as before the 2008 recession.
At 2.8%, it is also the lowest unemployment rate in the country.
Otago's unemployment fell 0.2% to 3.7%, the second-lowest in the country and slightly below Canterbury on 3.9%. Southland was the only South Island region to record a rise, up 0.1% to 5.3%.
Unemployment in North Island regions was: Northland 7.6%; Auckland 5.3%; Waikato 4.5%; Taranaki 4.7%; Wellington 4.9%.
Auckland accounted for more than half of the overall increase in the unadjusted employment rate in the September quarter on 51.6%, followed by Otago on 20% and Northland on 78.8%.
No other region had significant changes in employment during the quarter.
The quarterly figures showed Otago had an employment rate of 64.9% in September, up from 63.2% in June. The participation rate rose to 67.4% from 66.2% in June.
The region had a total labour force of 121,300 with only 4500 unemployed, down from 5400 in June.
The Otago figures are notoriously volatile as seasonal workers and students move in and out of the workforce.
