Jobs keep vanishing under National

The rising jobseeker numbers aren’t just bad optics — they’re the clearest evidence yet that the National unemployment crisis is deepening. More Kiwis out of work, more businesses shutting down, and a Government that promised the opposite.

Today’s jobseeker figures expose an economy going backwards, with businesses shutting down and Kiwis paying the price.

“These numbers are a direct result of Christopher Luxon’s failure to turn the economy around,” Labour social development and employment spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime said.

The job losses keep stacking up

“From the closure of Kinleith Mill to Wattie’s and McCain’s factories – the list of job losses keeps growing, and National is nowhere to be seen.

“Unemployment is at a 10-year high, business closures are at a 15-year high, and record numbers of Kiwis have left the country on this Government’s watch.

Cutting support while unemployment rises

“Instead of backing workers, the Government has slashed tens of millions in funding from apprenticeship boost, Tupu Aotearoa, and Māori trades training.

“National promised to fix the economy. Instead, they’re making it worse.

“Labour is focused on real investment in proven programmes that get Kiwis into work and give employers the skilled workers they need.

“Christopher Luxon promised 50,000 fewer jobseekers. Instead, we’ve seen an increase of more than 25,000 jobseekers on his watch,” Willow-Jean Prime said.