Unemployment drops to 400 | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

Unemployment in Wairarapa has dropped to 400, the lowest number since records began.

The figures cover Wairarapa from Martinborough and Featherston in the south to Eketahuna in the north.

Work and Income's regional commissioner Penny Rounthwaite said that in 2000 there were 1400 people on unemployment-related benefits in Masterton.

"The 400 people remaining represents a 67 per cent drop. And in today's dollars that's annual savings to the taxpayer of over $9 million a year.

"It's a great result and I'm really pleased with the work our staff has put in to get it. But our job has been made easier by the buoyant local labour market. Job placements are coming from industries across the board in Wairarapa," she said.