Benefit numbers fall

The number of people

receiving the Unemployment Benefit has dropped by 4,224 over the last

month.

"That's the single biggest

drop in the Unemployment Benefit since the recession began," says Social

Development Minister Paula Bennett.

The number of people on all

types of benefits has dropped by 10,816 over the same

period.

Over half of that total

number, relates to young people on benefits.

"It's really pleasing to see

5,595 young people came off a benefit in just the last month," says Ms

Bennett.

"Young people have been among

the hardest hit by the recession and initiatives like Job Ops and Community Max

have proven vital in keeping young New Zealanders in work," says Ms

Bennett.

3,636 position had been

filled through Job Ops by the end of February, with 2,927 positions filled

through Community Max

Work and Income has continued

its work-first approach, using work brokers and its specialised recruitment

service Job Connect to match people with jobs.

In the last week of February,

38% of those who came into Work and Income didn't end up needing a benefit.

More than 5000 new job

vacancies were listed at Work and Income in February, as work brokers continue

to engage with employers and actively identify

opportunities.

"While this is early days

and the effects of the recession are still being felt; there is light at the end

of the tunnel," says Ms Bennett.

Regionally the biggest drop

in Unemployment Benefit numbers was in the East Coast (20%), Auckland (16%) and

Bay of Plenty (11%).

Good availability of seasonal

work in areas like Gisborne, Bay of Plenty, Otago and Hawke's Bay is expected to

remain strong through to April.