'There are no jobs': Support services warn unemployment crisis driving rising violence

Support services in the Far North have raised alarms over the escalating unemployment crisis, warning that rising joblessness is pushing more families into severe hardship and contributing to increased incidents of family violence. The region has recorded its highest unemployment rate in over a decade, with Northland surpassing Auckland as the area with the worst figures, reaching 8.8 percent compared to 5.1 percent previously. Unemployment rates in Northland have surged due to a combination of economic challenges and structural issues affecting local labor markets. According to data released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, the rise in unemployment has led to heightened demands for food assistance, deteriorating mental health outcomes, and a noticeable uptick in reports of family violence. These trends are being observed by frontline workers who are witnessing firsthand the impact of financial strain on households. Moana Eruera, chief executive of Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services, highlighted the growing number of families turning to support services for help with basic needs such as food, rent, and utility bills. In July alone, the organization's social supermarket, Whata Kai, received 181 referrals, underscoring the severity of the situation. Eruera noted that the remote nature of the Far North exacerbates these challenges, as residents often travel long distances to access essential services. She emphasized that financial hardship frequently leads to broader social problems, including an increase in factors associated with family harm. Eruera pointed out that the organization's family violence teams are operating at full capacity, supporting numerous whānau affected by financial stress. Despite ongoing efforts to maintain service levels, the social supermarket faces mounting difficulties in securing sustainable funding. While it collaborates with Foodstuffs, it does not receive direct government support and relies heavily on internal resources and charitable donations. This precarious financial position threatens the ability to continue providing critical aid to vulnerable communities. Megan Hepi, director of the community advocacy group Nga Taonga o Kaikohe, described the current job market as highly imbalanced, with significantly more individuals seeking employment than available positions. She estimated that approximately 7,500 to 8,000 people across Northland are actively looking for work, while only around 600 to 700 job openings exist. The closure of the Juken timber mill near Kaitaia is expected to further worsen this imbalance, potentially displacing dozens of workers and intensifying the struggle for young people seeking stable employment. Hepi expressed concern over the disproportionate impact on younger generations, noting that many are forced to leave the region in pursuit of work opportunities elsewhere. She recounted her own son's experience, who was laid off due to business closures and subsequently relocated to Auckland in search of full-time employment. Hepi stressed that the lack of available jobs means that even extensive education and training programs may not alleviate the problem, as the supply of jobs fails to meet the demand. She argued that Northland requires a strategic approach to economic growth, emphasizing the need for locally driven initiatives such as fostering small businesses and relocating government jobs to the region. Hepi believes that meaningful change must come from within the community, rather than relying solely on external interventions from urban centers like Wellington. Her comments reflect a broader call for regional self-sufficiency and tailored economic strategies to address the unique challenges facing Northland.