2. Question No. 2—Social Development and EmploymentVANUSHI WALTERS (Labour—Upper Harbour) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 2—Social Development and Employment2. VANUSHI WALTERS (Labour—Upper Harbour) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: 大家好 and 你好 Mr Speaker. What updates has she seen about people being supported into jobs in West Auckland?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment): I was pleased to read that more than 40 unemployed West Aucklanders have secured jobs at Costco's new megastore in Westgate which opened yesterday. The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has worked alongside Costco to help it find some of the right people to staff its first New Zealand store filling full- and part-time positions in warehousing and product demonstrator roles.Vanushi Walters: Why are partnerships like this important?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: This is a great example of what can be achieved when partnering with businesses and employers. The partnership meant that MSD were able to work with Costco to help provide opportunities for people who want to not only build a career in merchandising and warehouse operations but who live and want to work locally. Partnerships like this don't happen by coincidence however. MSD's work brokers make a point of learning as much as they can about an employer's business so they can match them with suitable job seekers. Helping people find and keep employment is a key focus for our Government.Vanushi Walters: What feedback has she seen from Costco about supporting job seekers?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I was pleased to read of Costco's managing director's commitment to job seekers. Patrick Noone said We pay over the award rate and the living wage. We want to give people really really good jobs; good training." In response to the notion that other businesses were struggling with a national skill shortage he said "If you pay the right wages and have the right working conditions you [can] get the right people." He also added that he little problem finding staff himself.Vanushi Walters: What type of recruitment activities does MSD undertake to support the likes of Costco and other employers?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: MSD held employer days at the Waitakere Service Centre and at Te Manawa library prior to the store opening. MSD also offers a no-fee recruitment service for employers with the employers often choosing to also interview people at the MSD office as they can also talk to MSD about extra support that might be available. Once an employer has found a candidate to hire they may be able to get extra support through a range of training and employment assistance including wage subsidies and post-placement support and training. In West Auckland industries like retail construction and business support are all regular users of MSD's employment services.Vanushi Walters: What other uptakes has she seen on people moving off a benefit?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: We're encouraged by the continuing high numbers of people moving off a benefit and into paid employment nationally. The three months to June saw 26334 cancellations of benefit as people moved into work including 9255 people who had been receiving a main benefit for more than a year. In the Auckland region there were 7725 cancellations of benefit as people moved into work in the three months to June."