Unemployment figures don't stack up: MP

Labour MP Sue Moroney has hit back at a report released by National's Paula Bennett on unemployment figures in the Waikato region.

The Social Development Minister's report reveals that unemployment in the region dropped by 3.5 per cent.

However, Ms Moroney says given the large number of job losses in the region during the past year, the numbers do not stack up.

The Hamilton-based MP says the number of employed in the region fell by 13,300 over the past two years.

She says National's hands-off policies are forcing New Zealanders to head to Australia for work.