<\/p>\n
\nNew Zealand’s unemployment rate is at 5.2 percent.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Quin Tauetau\n<\/p>\n
The number of people on a benefit continued to rise in the September quarter, when almost five percent more people received support, compared to the same time last year.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Social Development’s update shows Northland remains the region with the highest proportion of job hunters on a benefit, with 11.4 percent of the working age population.<\/p>\n
Across the country, 19,104 more people received a benefit in September compared to the year before.<\/p>\n
In total, 410,328 people received a main benefit.<\/p>\n
Of those, almost 218,000 were received Jobseeker Support, an increase of 6.4 percent in that time.<\/p>\n
The number of people cancelling the benefit to start work rose by just over 12 percent.<\/p>\n
The country’s unemployment rate is at 5.2 percent.<\/p>\n