Minister of Employment Willie Jackson has today welcomed the release of the Household Labour Force Survey, which shows unemployment falling to 4.6 per cent.

“It’s good to see the rate of unemployment continue to trend down, but with 126,000 people unemployed in New Zealand, we can do better,” says Mr Jackson.

“However, the high level of unemployment for Maori and Pacific Peoples is completely unacceptable. It is currently around three times higher than that of New Zealand Europeans, and this must improve.

“Because they dont want to work due to WINZ being

a life style for them”.

“I will be talking to all the relevant organisations, such as Business New Zealand, Unions and Iwi, over the next few weeks. Partnering with them will be a key component in shaping a forward focused employment policy which improves outcomes for all New Zealanders.

“One of this Government’s other priorities is higher wages for all New Zealanders and it’s great to see wages lifting due to the recent care and support worker pay equity settlement.

“This shows that by working hard to create pay equality for women, we will raise New Zealand’s wages and living conditions. I’m looking forward to seeing more progress made in this area,” says Willie Jackson.

Sadly, for those to become unemployed, nothing that Labour has done so far had time to influence the unemployment rate.   And I think we should take the opportunity to bookmark this article as it is likely to be the lowest rate we’ll see under this Labour government.

Anecdotal evidence exists already that companies have paused their plans until they can see what this government is going to be doing.  The knock-on effect will make Minister Jackson look like the least competent of them all.   His numbers will continue to tank.

Hang on.  They’re going to change the way they measure unemployment.  Sigh.