7000 unemployed and only 255 jobs

Northland's unemployment rate is still the highest in the country.
 There are now 7000 people in the region out of a job.
While unemployment numbers in most other areas have dropped, Northland's jobless rate is still rising and is worse than the national rate of 6 per cent..
According to Statistics New Zealand, 9.4 per cent- or 7000 Northlanders - were out of a job at the end of May - more than double the recent low  of March 2008, when 4.7 per cent or 4700 people were unemployed.

There were only 255 jobs listed in Work and Income books in Whangarei  on July 9  this year.
 Otago, Bay of Plenty and Tasman/Nelson/Marlborough/West Coast are the only other regions where unemployment rates are still climbing.

Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett said there were "simply too many out of work in Northland".
Ms Bennett said her Ministry was working with local iwi and community groups to create jobs and training opportunities for Northlanders.
Among those looking for work are Whangarei couple Drummond Leaf and  Chelise Harris.
They have four children to support and Mr Leaf said competition for jobs meant they were forced to rely on financial assistance from Work and Income. He lost his job as a construction worker in Kaikohe and moved to Whangarei eight months ago to find work.
 
"There's a lot of work out there, but employers need more experienced people and that's where people like me lost out."
Mr Leaf said he had  even obtained a Class 2 driver's licence to improve his chances.
 
The number of Northlanders receiving benefits also rose from 15,838 in March 2005 to 17,489 for the same period this year.
 
Whangarei MP and Minister for Fisheries Phil Heatley said the statistics made glum reading, but was optimistic the situation would improve, with projects lined up for Northland by the Government.
He listed the $24 million Kamo bypass, $20 million for the Whangarei Hospital upgrade and funding  for the Bay of Islands College.
Mr Heatley said the Government was working to keep interest rates down so small and medium businesses,  could move forward.
The resource management and building acts had been looked at again  and there was investment in roads, houses and schools.
"When [the] recession came, a lot of Northland families settled in places like Auckland, but have since moved back home and are now finding it hard to find jobs.
"Next year, right throughout the country, the building industry in particular will be very busy so the outlook is positive," he said.

Mrs Bennett said 404 Job Ops positions had been taken up in Northland.
The  programme was introduced  to help keep young people in work by subsidising jobs.