The number of people receiving benefits went up slightly in July, by 433 to 320,474.
Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett says one reason is that seasonal employment slowed during July.
Earlier this month, the Household Labour Force Survey showed the rate of unemployment rose from 6.7% to 6.8% between March and June, reaching a two-year high.
That equates to 162,000 people officially being out of work.
