Pacific Island people in New Zealand are being hit by the recession with 6000 signing up for benefits over the past year.
That represents an increase of 30% on the previous year.
Figures issued by the Labour Party show there are now just over 25,000 Pacific Island people receiving a range of benefits.
The figures show that almost 4000 more Pacific Island people are collecting the unemployment benefit than a year ago.
Another 1000 more are on the domestic purposes benefit and another 500 on invalid's and sickness benefits.
