Auckland and Wellington are bearing the brunt of the latest unexpected rise in unemployment

Unemployment's reached 5.4 percent in the December quarter - up from 5.3 percent in the September quarter.

Auckland's unemployment rate has risen again to 6.4 percent - far higher than any other region.

Wellington's rate has surged to 5.8 percent.

While Canterbury's has plummeted to 3.7, and Otago's is down to just 2.3.