Rt Hon Winston Peters

New Zealand First Leader

Member of Parliament for Northland
17 AUGUST 2016

Jobless Northland Reflects National’s Neglect

High unemployment in Northland shows the region is struggling to recover from years of neglect by National, says New Zealand First.

“At 10.6 per cent in the June 2016 quarter, the unemployment rate in Northland is more than double the national unemployment rate,” says New Zealand First Leader and Member of Parliament for Northland Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“In 2010, the then Minister of Employment Paula Bennett said there were ‘simply too many out of work in Northland’ and claimed to be creating jobs and training opportunities for Northlanders. Why, then, is the number of jobless Northlanders worse today than when she said that six years ago?

“The government has been full of bluster on job opportunities for Northlanders with nothing to show for it, as the statistics reveal.

“Northland and the rest of New Zealand needs an economy that will generate jobs, and work for New Zealanders,” says Mr Peters.

“Northland needs serious regional development policies that will enhance its potential for added value of its raw products for wealth and jobs which, as the local member, I will continue to advocate for.

“This is one more reason why we need a change in this country’s economic direction.”

ENDS

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