The number of people receiving the unemployment benefit rose by more than 3000 in the September quarter.
Ministry of Social Development data shows 65,281 people were on the dole at the end of September, up from 62,085 at the end of June.
Over the same three-month period the total number receiving a government benefit rose about 5000 to 338,212.
Labour Party social development spokesperson Annette King says the figures show the National-led Government has no plan for the economy.
Ms King says the Government claims unemployment has peaked, but the data shows the number of people claiming a benefit has been speeding up, not slowing down.
