Articles tagged with Jobs

Government-Funded Driver Licence Training Boosts Job Opportunities in New Zealand

17 hours ago | 38 views

The Government-funded Driver Licence Support programme in New Zealand is exceeding targets, with over 21,000 enrolments and more than 34,000 licences issued since 2023, helping job seekers gain essential driving skills. Having a driver licence is crucial for about 70% of jobs, enabling individuals to secure employment, support their families, and achieve independence, as illustrated by success stories like a young woman obtaining a traffic management job. The programme, with an 82% pass rate and significant youth participation, contributes to safer, stronger communities by improving employment opportunities and mobility.

Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Driver Licence Support MSD Jobseeker Support Fulton Hogan Social Development Employment Driver Licence Youth

Minister Louise Upston Encourages Timaru Employers to Hire Local Jobseekers with MSD Support

1 week ago | 153 views

Minister Louise Upston encouraged Timaru employers to prioritize hiring jobseekers and highlighted how the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) supports businesses by matching them with skilled and suitable candidates. MSD collaborates closely with local employers like Fonterra to understand their workforce needs and build trust by connecting them with ready-to-work talent from a large pool of jobseekers. She emphasized that recruitment through MSD is about unlocking potential and creating lasting opportunities, urging employers of all sizes to engage with MSD for workforce solutions.

Tags: Louise Upston Ministry of Social Development MSD Timaru Fonterra Jobseekers Employment Social Development Workforce Recruitment

Local Water Done Well: $48B Investment to Upgrade NZ Water Services by 2034

1 month ago | 263 views

All councils' water service delivery plans under Local Water Done Well have been assessed, with 76% of New Zealand’s population receiving services through council-controlled organisations (CCOs), addressing affordability challenges. Councils plan to invest nearly $48 billion over the next decade, including an additional $9 billion compared to previous estimates, to upgrade water infrastructure and ensure regulatory compliance after decades of underinvestment. This reform also anticipates the creation of around 9,000 new water industry jobs, balancing the need to fix existing issues while preparing for future population growth.

Tags: Simon Watts Local Water Done Well New Zealand councils water service delivery Department of Internal Affairs water infrastructure water industry jobs Local Government Minister

Costco's Expansion Plans Bring Economic Boost to New Zealand Shoppers

2 months ago | 391 views

US supermarket giant Costco is planning to open a second store in South Auckland, welcomed by Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis. The Government is facilitating quick approvals for new supermarkets through legislation and working closely with Costco for efficient consenting processes. Kiwi Property has agreed to sell land for the new Costco store, expected to boost the economy, create jobs, and enhance competition for shoppers.

Tags: Nicola Willis Costco New Zealand South Auckland Kiwi shoppers Economic Growth Minister Kiwi Property Drury Auckland’s economy construction jobs

Government Progresses in Tackling Unemployment Despite Economic Challenges

3 months ago | 324 views

Minister Louise Upston highlights the Government's progress in reducing unemployment despite economic challenges, with a 6% increase in beneficiaries finding work in the June 2025 quarter, totaling 20,775 individuals transitioning into employment. The data also shows a 6.9% rise in work exits from Jobseeker Support and a decrease in young people receiving this support. The Government's initiatives, such as frontline investments, phone-based case management, and Kōrero Mahi seminars, aim to support jobseekers, emphasizing the importance of providing practical assistance during the job search process to help individuals gain independence and improve their lives.

Tags: Minister Social Development Employment Louise Upston Government unemployment MSD stats Jobseeker Support New Zealanders Kōrero Mahi

Minister Upston Applauds Progress in Job Seeker Preparation and Case Management Boost

3 months ago | 350 views

Minister Louise Upston has praised the progress in preparing Kiwi job seekers for work, emphasizing the focus on matching them with employers through targeted case management. The Ministry for Social Development is increasing case management places and rolling out Individual Employment Plans to help clients become job-ready. MSD aims to support job seekers in securing positions now and in the future, aligning with the government's Jobseeker reduction target and economic growth projections.

Tags: Minister Social Development Employment Louise Upston Kiwi job seekers case management MSD Individual Employment Plans Government Jobseeker reduction target

New Zealand-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Launched for Economic Growth and Security

3 months ago | 389 views

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong launched the New Zealand-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in Auckland, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between small states to maintain open trade, enhance security, and uphold the rules-based order. The CSP aims to support businesses, boost investments, and facilitate the expansion of New Zealand firms into Asia, ultimately leading to increased job opportunities and higher incomes for Kiwis. The partnership will address various challenges together, including supply chain resilience, digital trade, climate change, and maritime security, with a focus on enhancing cooperation in six key areas: Trade and Economics, Defence and Security, Science and Innovation, People-to-People links, Climate and Green Economy, and Supply Chains and Connectivity.

Tags: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong trade security business investment jobs incomes

Finance Minister Hails OCR Cut, Easing Pressure on Kiwi Households and Businesses

3 months ago | 322 views

Finance Minister Nicola Willis highlights the positive impact of the 50 basis point Official Cash Rate reduction on Kiwi households and businesses, easing financial pressure. The reduction in OCR will lead to lower interest rates for mortgage-holders and businesses, stimulating growth and investment. The Government's focus on responsible economic management, along with lower interest rates, aims to support recovery and drive policies for job and income growth to benefit all New Zealanders.

Tags: Official Cash Rate Kiwi households Finance Minister Nicola Willis monetary policy interest rates growth jobs investment inflation

MSD's Proactive Approach Enhances Job Seekers' Employment Readiness and Success

3 months ago | 331 views

Minister Louise Upston praises MSD's focus on frontline partnerships to better prepare jobseekers for employment, citing the success of the 'Into Work' regional workshops for employers. MSD's proactive engagement with job seekers has led to a significant increase in appointments and successful job placements, with tailored seminars providing practical job readiness support. Despite economic challenges, there has been a notable rise in Jobseeker work exits, highlighting the positive impact of prompt employment assistance on individuals, families, communities, and the economy.

Tags: Minister Social Development Employment Louise Upston MSD jobseekers employers proactive engagement Kōrero Mahi seminars Jobseeker Support

New Zealand's Initiatives to Reduce Youth Benefit Dependency

4 months ago | 547 views

Minister Louise Upston announces two key initiatives aimed at reducing benefit dependency and encouraging young New Zealanders to stay in work. The first initiative involves removing Jobseeker payments for 18- and 19-year-olds if their parents can financially support them. The second initiative offers a $1,000 bonus payment to young people who participate in the Community Job Coaching service, secure employment, and remain off benefits for 12 months.

Tags: Louise Upston New Zealanders Jobseeker payments Ministry of Social Development Community Job Coaching service Parental Assistance Test welfare benefit dependency National’s Welfare that Works policy young people

Opportunities Abound with NZICC Opening: Minister Upston & MSD Collaborate for Job Seekers

4 months ago | 437 views

Minister Louise Upston highlights the job opportunities arising from the upcoming opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland, emphasizing the partnership between the Ministry of Social Development and the centre to fill various roles. The convention space is expected to boost the tourism sector by hosting live events and conferences, creating job prospects in events and hospitality. The collaboration between MSD, NZICC, and other employers aims to provide skilled local employees for the tourism industry, with a focus on assisting job seekers in transitioning into new roles effectively.

Tags: Louise Upston Minister of Social Development New Zealand International Convention Centre Auckland job seekers events hospitality tourism sector tourism jobs MSD

Boosting Employment in Waikato: Minister Upston's Commitment to Jobseeker Reduction Target

5 months ago | 412 views

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston highlights the importance of regional employment events in getting Kiwis into jobs and boosting the economy. The Government's focus on the Going for Growth strategy emphasizes developing talent and reducing the number of people on the Jobseeker Benefit by 50,000 by 2030 through partnerships with employers and training organizations. Initiatives such as early intervention services, work seminars, and the Relocate for Work Support payment aim to help beneficiaries find sustainable employment, providing them with purpose, independence, and a pathway out of welfare dependence.

Tags: Louise Upston Minister Employment MSD Jobseeker Benefit Kiwis Economy Growth Waikato Community

How Falling Interest Rates Benefit Growth, Businesses, Jobs, and Kiwis: Finance Minister's Insights

5 months ago | 601 views

Finance Minister Nicola Willis highlights the benefits of falling interest rates, including support for growth, businesses, job creation, and mortgage holders. The Reserve Bank has reduced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) from 3.25 to 3 percent, with further decreases expected. Lower interest rates stimulate economic activity, reduce mortgage repayments, and are seen as a positive response to economic challenges, signaling improving conditions and effective economic management by the government.

Tags: interest rates growth businesses jobs Kiwis mortgages Finance Minister Nicola Willis Reserve Bank Official Cash Rate

New Zealand's Biodiversity Research Centre: Future-Proofing Natural History and Creating Jobs

5 months ago | 620 views

The Government is investing in a new Biodiversity Research Centre in Upper Hutt to replace the earthquake-prone and inadequate Tory Street facility, preserving Te Papa’s natural history collection of over 860,000 specimens. The project, costing $155.4 million, is part of a $6 billion infrastructure initiative and will create construction jobs for over 2,000 people, with completion expected by March 2028. The collection transfer and decommissioning of the current facility are scheduled to be completed by April 2029.

Tags: Government Biodiversity Research Centre New Zealand Paul Goldsmith Te Papa infrastructure projects natural history construction jobs environmental science scientific research

New Seasonal Visas in New Zealand: Boosting Businesses and Prioritizing Jobs for Kiwis

5 months ago | 774 views

The Government is introducing two new seasonal visa pathways to assist New Zealand businesses in accessing necessary workers during peak periods, while also prioritizing job opportunities for New Zealanders. The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) is a three-year visa for experienced seasonal workers in various industries, while the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) is a seven-month visa for short-term roles. Visa holders must spend time offshore before returning, and employers must advertise roles and engage with MSD to prioritize New Zealand workers.

Tags: Government New Zealand businesses workers jobs Immigration Minister Erica Stanford Global Workforce Seasonal Visa Peak Seasonal Visa employers seasonal industries