The number of people receiving a benefit in the Bay of Plenty is decreasing as the Ministry of Social Development predicts the labour market to steadily improve in the coming months.

Bay of Plenty Social Development commissioner Mike Bryant believes the improvement seen in the last 18 months, of people entering the workforce, will continue to increase as summer comes into play and seasonal work picks up.

The number of people on a benefit has decreased from 29,512 in December 2012 to 27,935 in September 2013.

'Work and Income works hard to help jobseekers in our community into work.

'It's always encouraging to know Bay of Plenty benefit numbers have reduced, but our challenge is to keep seeing those numbers drop.”

Mike says people stop receiving the benefit for a number of reasons, with the number factor being they have gained employment.

Figures from the Ministry of Social Development show a total of 29,050 people were receiving a benefit in the Bay of Plenty in March, 2013, a decrease of almost 500 from the 29,512 people receiving benefits in December 2012.

A further decrease has occurred during winter, with September figures showing 27,935 people were receiving some form of benefit.

Mike says during the last few years the retail section has seen a steady flow of employment opportunities.

'While hospitality can be seasonally driven, it's boosted by an increase in cruise ships entering Tauranga.” The kiwifruit industry also provides on-going work opportunities, says Mike.

'We will see a slight decline in re-packing positions during December and February, but there will be an increase in the area of new plant development.

'It's envisaged 6000 staff will be required for the 2014 kiwifruit season.”