Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says the country is experiencing employment growth despite recent bad news about jobs on the North Island.
At least 210 jobs are likely to be lost in Central Hawke’s Bay after the directors of the roading contractor Infracon recommended the company be liquidated.
And in Auckland, the country’s largest stationery supplier, Croxley, is considering closing its main factory, with 100 jobs at risk.
Steven Joyce said National’s policies are helping create jobs, with 83,000 new jobs created in the past year, the highest number in 10 years.
“We’re certainly seeing job growth in the manufacturing sector, it’s obviously in some of the newer companies, really it’s about the opportunities to export more overseas.
But Labour said there is demand for the Government to play a more active role in job creation.