The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the Bay of Plenty dropped marginally in the last quarter, according to the latest figures from Statistics New Zealand.
Between April and June, unemployment in the region was 7.8 per cent.


Tauranga Chamber of Commerce CEO Max Mason.

During the previous quarter, between January and March, unemployment hit eight per cent - the highest rate in two years.
The national unemployment rate has risen from six per cent to 6.8 per cent over the past six months.
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce CEO Max Mason says there seems to be wild fluctuations in a range of recent national economic indicators, making it difficult to say definitely what it all means.
"However, even taking the above into account, the anecdotal evidence I'm hearing is that the local employment market is improving slowly," says Max.
"For example job adverts that were receiving 100 CV's a few months ago, are only getting 20 to 30 now."
He says small retailers in the Western Bay are being hit the hardest by the economic conditions, with large chains and franchises coping slightly better.
"The same applies to much of the personal services and discretionary spend market, but in saying that there are exceptions everywhere."
Also we mustn't forget that it's mid-winter and everyone and everything looks a bit pale," says Max.