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Latest benefit figures demonstrate Wairarapa is doing well under the Labour-led Government's drive to transform the New Zealand economy.
Labour Government MP Georgina Beyer says figures from the Ministry of Social Development show 399 people in Wairarapa were receiving Unemployment Benefit at the end of October. This is down 23 percent from 517 at this time last year, and a huge reduction from the 2107 in December 1999, when the Labour-led Government took office.
"This is great news for Wairarapa. The stats also look better for overall benefit numbers, down from 4164 last year to 4103 today," said Ms Beyer.
New Zealand remains one of only five OECD countries with unemployment below 4 percent. Even with a slight ease in the labour market, New Zealand has its second-highest level of employment and third-highest labour force participation rate.
"Our Government's policy of supporting people into work with targeted services is really working. Nationally, Unemployment Benefit numbers fell by 9938, Domestic Purposes Benefit numbers fell 5489, and overall benefit numbers fell by 11,368*.
"The new service approach and Job Search Service under the recently launched Working New Zealand package, will see great gains for all regions, including Wairarapa," said Ms Beyer.
"Working New Zealand aims to give employment support to every beneficiary who needs it. Our work to reduce unemployment fits well with the Government's goals to transform the economy, build and support strong and healthy families, and to nurture pride in our communities."
| Benefit |
Dec 1999 |
Oct 2005 |
Oct 2006 |
| Unemployment |
2107 |
517 |
399 |
| Domestic Purposes |
1564 |
1455 |
1428 |
| Sickness |
436 |
655 |
692 |
| Invalids |
826 |
1279 |
1276 |
| Total working-age* |
5345 |
4164 |
4103 |
* Also includes Training, Student, Widows, Hardship, Independent Youth, Emergency, and Transition Retirement Benefits
Eds: the local statistics quoted here relate to the number of beneficiaries registered at the Dannevirke and Masterton Working NZ service centres.
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