Economic decline in New Zealand

What this report makes clear is that statistics are released when it suits the minister, as propaganda, not to provide real information. It is difficult to get proper data and to get a true position of the real economic situation in this country..

Welfare numbers seen as proof of poverty

Radio New Zealand,

18 January, 2013

Opposition parties say the latest welfare figures issued by the Government prove people are being forced into poverty.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said on Thursday the number of people on benefits dropped by almost 12,000 over the past year to 339,000.

However, the latest Household Labour Force Survey shows unemployment has risen.

The Green Party said that proves many people are out of work and not receiving the support they need.

Labour agrees the figures will come as cold comfort for job-seekers unable to find work

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Council of Trade Unions economist Bill Rosenberg told Summer Report the Government is making it harder for people to receive assistance.

He said says beneficiaries should be encouraged to seek work, but that does not appear to be the case.

Listen to more from Bill Rosenberg on Summer Report

The Salvation Army said it has not seen any reduction in demand for help. If anything, its workload has increased.

Working hours being cut at mine

Employees at Stockton coal mine on the West Coast are taking temporary cuts to their hours

Radio NZ,

18 January, 2013

At a meeting in Westport on Thursday, Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union members voted by 118 to 91 to cut their shifts from 12 to 10 hours for the next three months.

Solid Energy is seeking save $32 million. But the company can't guarantee that empoyees will return to their original hours.

A proposal to make the change permanent was rejected by union members last month.

Solid Energy said the international price for coal is at rock-bottom and Stockton is barely making ends meet.

But a spokesman said the company can't make any guarantees that they will return to the original hours.

The EPMU said its members had no option but to accept cuts to their hours.

The cuts are for three month, as a trial which is due to end in April.

Shifts will continue as seven days on and seven days off. But the two hour cut to each shift means a reduction of 17% in wages.

Buller District Mayor Pat McManus said the company needs to do whatever it takes to make a profit.