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In one year, Wairarapa has seen a big drop in long term unemployed.
Work and Income figures released by Wairarapa MP Georgina Beyer show the number of Wairarapa people claiming the Unemployment Benefit for more than two years has dropped by 36 percent, going from 320 people in March 2004 to 205 in March this year.
"Everyone I've met with a long history on benefits and who now has a job has aspired to a better life for themselves and their family, a decent income, and a future with more hope," said Ms Beyer.
"Local businesses have responded to the growing regional economy and a tightening labour market with more flexible hiring methods that have helped achieve this great result."
Sustainable gains for the Wairarapa's economy had also occurred on the back of Work and Income initiatives including job search seminars, new industry partnerships, and the Jobs Jolt strategy.
"Work and Income are doing more one-on-one client case management and using the rural Mobile Employment Service and the Urban Employment Service to reach people in their homes and help them into jobs," said Ms Beyer.
Higher levels of subsidy will also be available to some employers taking on clients who've been unemployed for a long time.
Ms Beyer said the Government is determined to break the cycle of benefit dependency, remove barriers to jobs, and get more people into work.
Associate Social Development and Employment Minister Rick Barker said there are 40 percent fewer long term unemployed nationwide than in 1999, and a lower proportion of working age New Zealanders on an income tested benefit than at any time in the past decade.
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