Consumer confidence is the highest it has been since December 2007, according to the monthly ANZ-Roy Morgan survey.

Double accounting major forced to go on the dole after job-seeking desperation.

NZ's dole queue has shrunk for the first time this year, raising hopes that employment might pick up sooner than expected.

Employers have snapped up more than 1000 places under the Government's new Job Ops subsidy scheme for young people.

While the number of people on benefits is rising, there are positive signs, says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.