Wednesday, February 08, 2012
   
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Improving Pasifika Employment in New Zealand

Since 1999, economic conditions in New Zealand have been very good. One of the consequences of this has been the drastic decline in unemployment levels. General unemployment stands, as at early February 2008, at only 3.4%, the lowest jobless rate in the developed world.

Some populations in New Zealand have had an historically higher unemployment rate than the general population. Pasifika New Zealanders (those born to families orginating in the Pacific Islands) have been one of these groups. Even so, registered Pasifika unemployment has now fallen to around 5%.

The Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Hon Luamanuavao Winnie Laban MP, has been holding a series of fono (meetings) with Pasifika communities around New Zealand to discuss how to get this rate down further. Also under discussion is how to improve the quality of existing work performed by Pacific workers, through education and training, so as to raise earnings potential.

Participants at each fono in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington were encouraged to divide up into small groups, usually based on language, to formulate ideas to report back to the Minister.

Charles is pictured with Winnie Laban at the fono held in Porirua, part of Greater Wellington with a significant Pasifika population, on 8 February. Behind them is the Tongan working group, one of 9 groups participating in the Porirua fono.
Labour Spokesperson for Justice
Labour Spokesperson for the Environment

Labour List MP Based in Ohariu
Authorised by Charles Chauvel, 103 Johnsonville Road, Johnsonville