A 'hand up” rather than a 'hand out” is being lauded as the catalyst for more than 200 Western Bay of Plenty people moving off benefits in the last 12 months.

Figures in the March 2015 quarter, compared to 2014, show there are 250 less people on the benefit system in the Western Bay – part of a nationwide drop in numbers.

Photo: File.

Nationally, there were 284,260 people on benefit at the end of the March 2015 quarter, a drop of 11,060, or 3.7 per cent, compared to a year ago. The figures are the lowest since March 2009.

Sole parents are the most successful beneficiary group with a drop of 7.2 per cent (5,471) in the last year.

They are improvements that Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller has applauded, given that the Western Bay is helping to contribute to this positive decline.

'When National came to power the welfare system was failing kiwis,” says Todd, 'and 12 per cent of our working-age population was receiving a benefit.

'With the number of New Zealanders on benefits continuing to track downwards, I am pleased to say National's welfare reforms are working.”

Moving from welfare into work means a better life, better opportunities, and a brighter future for Bay of Plenty people and their families, adds Todd.

However, he says there is still work to be done and the government is continuing to help people into work by making childcare assistance, training, workplace support and access to health and disability support services available.

'This government is making a difference by setting expectations, and providing a hand-up rather than a hand-out to empower those wanting to work,” he says.