Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Employment conditions remain challenging

Hon Steven Joyce
Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills & Employment

7 February 2013

Employment conditions remain challenging

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says that while the unemployment rate fell from 7.3 to 6.9 per cent in the December quarter HLFS, the labour market remains challenging.

“This latest survey reflects the on-going impact of tough economic times globally,” Mr Joyce says. “It also demonstrates the volatility of the quarterly employment data which continues to move around.

“While our reported participation rate has fallen to 67.2 per cent, it remains higher than Australia at 65.1 per cent. Our employment rate is also higher than Australia. The data shows New Zealand’s unemployment rate remains better than most OECD countries which have an average unemployment rate of 8.0 per cent.

“The latest results reinforce the importance of the Government’s programme to attract new investment and jobs into the New Zealand economy.

“Through our Business Growth Agenda the Government is removing barriers and delays for companies seeking to make productive investments in this country.

“That includes oil and gas exploration, the expansion of intensive agriculture, the development of aquaculture, investment in hi-tech innovation, supporting our film industry, and progressing an international convention centre in Auckland.

“The reality is that if we are serious about creating more jobs in New Zealand then we need to encourage greater domestic and foreign investment. We need to be open to all our opportunities. Nothing creates jobs better than competitive businesses.

“The Government is also investing billions of dollars into the Christchurch rebuild and upgrading our infrastructure, including the rollout of ultra-fast broadband, investments in transport, and upgrading the electricity grid.”

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.