Benefits Numbers

The data in this chart series is sourced from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) quarterly benefit Factsheets, which are released about 4 weeks after the end of each quarter.

New Zealand does not publish more frequent data on the level of unemployment claims, although the Work & Income department clearly has that data. We have requested it on a regular basis for a weekly or monthly series, and have been denied it each time. However, occasionally, the Minister will make a public statement quoting the data.

We would be interested in hearing from readers about strategies on how to prise weekly "new unemployment claims" data out of the Ministry.