49,000 more New Zealanders are out of work than when this Government took office, according to figures released by Stats NZ this morning showing 171,000 people unemployed and actively looking for work.
"Christopher Luxon's economic decisions have produced the highest unemployment rate in over a decade. Political tit for tat aside, it's time for the Prime Minister to put his hands back on the wheel of this economy and invest in our country. Clearly, cut after cut doesn't grow an economy. It breaks one," says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.
"49,000 more people are out of work since the beginning of this Government's term in office. Luxon will blame the last Government while taking on more debt than the last Government in order to fund his tax breaks that disproportionately benefit the wealthiest. He will blame the fossil fuel crisis while burning taxpayers' money on subsidising fossil fuels, increasing our exposure to imported inflation."
"Our country and our communities deserve a Government that takes responsibility and acts. A thriving economy needs a fair tax system, tackling mega-corporate greed and market power consolidation. We can do this. Other countries have."
"Almost 104,000 more New Zealanders have left this country than have come home since December 2023. When there is no work here and no plan to create any, people go where the work is, and they take their skills with them."
"Prime Minister, building a thriving economy means supporting the little guy, not patronising them as your Government cuts local jobs and infrastructure investment then consolidates contracts to give them to multi-national corporations. These are political decisions, not inevitabilities."
"Our people deserve so much better, and come November 7th, they'll vote for it," says Swarbrick.
