Govt employment promises 'empty'

Winston Peters says thousands of people have lost their jobs since May. Photo / Doug Sherring

The government is being criticised for making empty promises on New Zealand employment.

It follows comments by National cabinet minister Nick Smith about there being no quick fix to the unemployment situation.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says the May budget clearly stated the creation of 170,000 jobs, but since, thousands of people have lost their jobs.

He says it shows political puffery, and a promise that wasn't worth the air it passed on.

"A budget statement should not contain such mythical statements, particularly when it should have been prepared with supporting evidence from government departments," says Mr Peters.

He says people need jobs now and a sensible plan to get the economy moving again is long overdue.

-Newstalk ZB