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New regional statistics from the Ministry of Social Development show that unemployment numbers have dropped by 28.9 percent in Wairarapa over the last three years, Wairarapa MP Georgina Beyer says.
Every region in New Zealand has recorded a decrease in unemployment from November 1999 to August 2002, and unemployment is at its lowest in 14 years, at 5.1 percent nationally.
These figures were released today by the Minister of Social Services and Employment Steve Maharey, who also launched the 2002/2003 regional plans for each of the Ministry's 13 regions.
Regionalisation of the Work and Income service of the Ministry of Social Development was introduced by the government in 2000 to marry its employment expertise with the different skill needs of each region.
Ms Beyer said the number of long-term unemployed (over two years) in Wairarapa had dropped by 23.2 percent to August 2002, youth unemployment was down by 27.5 percent, and by 16.9 percent for people aged over 55.
"It's great to see unemployment dropping for youth and older job seekers, but we know that these groups remain the most difficult job seekers to place in work," she said.
"In the coming year, Work and Income Regional Commissioners intend giving particular focus to supporting these groups into paid employment."
Regionalisation of the Ministry of Social Development had seen a number of innovative local employment initiatives, Ms Beyer said. Some examples in Wairarapa were Work and Income's support for the Violence Free Wairarapa campaign Rise Above It and the development of Work and Income's Keeping Communities Safe strategy.
"Getting more people into real paying jobs is the Ministry's biggest challenge. These plans give us the confidence that it is fully focused on this issue which is a key priority for the Government," Ms Beyer said.
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