The drop in the rate of unemployment from 6.6% to 6.3% in the December 2011 quarter signals that the economy is heading in the right direction, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment minister Steven Joyce has said.
His comments followed a Statistics New Zealand release, which said that 3000 more people were employed in the December 2011 quarter.
“More than 34,000 jobs were created last year and the number of unemployed has fallen. The latest results are encouraging, given the challenges the country has had to face over the past few years with the global financial crisis and Canterbury earthquakes,” Mr Joyce said.
He Joyce said the government was committed to sensible management of its own finances and was determined to create the right environment to encourage competitive businesses to grow and create sustainable jobs.
“If we want more and better paying jobs, then we must have increased business investment in New Zealand. That is why the government is implementing a comprehensive 120-point plan that will help build a stronger, more competitive economy.
“We have to be prepared to remove costs and roadblocks that discourage good businesses from investing and expanding. Nothing creates jobs better than successful, growing, competitive businesses,” Mr Joyce said.
