The Government says more people are finding work despite ongoing economic challenges, with new Ministry of Social Development data showing a 6% rise in main benefit recipients moving into jobs compared with the June 2025 quarter.

That’s 20,775 people who left benefits for employment.

The Minister for Social Development and Employment, Louise Upston, asserts that the data signifies "independence, security, and lives transformed" for thousands of families.

The figures include a 6.9% increase in exits from Jobseeker Support and a small drop in young people receiving that payment.

While total benefit numbers have risen as forecast, Upston says employment conditions are expected to improve later in the year.

The Ministry has expanded its frontline and phone-based case management to support 10,000 more people at a time, alongside Kōrero Mahi seminars that help jobseekers with CVs, interview preparation, and finding suitable roles.

“These small things can make all the difference,” she says.

“We know many New Zealanders are still doing it tough, and that’s why we’re focused on practical, hands-on support while people seek employment.”

For the Hibiscus Coast, where many residents commute into Auckland for employment, the continued focus on job placement and workforce support helps sustain local households and keeps the region’s economy moving.

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