NZ jobs contracting as Australia's expands

The Kākā by Bernard Hickey · Feb 3, 2025 · 6m

Long stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, February 4 are:

* Social Development Minister Louise Upston yesterday announced a toughening of sanctions on jobseekers to force them into work, but job ads, beneficiary numbers and new employment data show those being sanctioned are trying to find work when there are fewer job ads and employment is flat to falling;

* The tougher sanctions requiring more job-seeking and training come on the eve of December quarter labour force figures tomorrow, which are expected to show a rise in…