A partnership to get people on benefits back into the workplace at the top of the South Island has been hailed a success and has eased unemployment in the region.
K-mart recently opened a 'super store' in Richmond, with 39 out of its 87 staff recruited from a pool of Work and Income clients.
State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie has praised the project, calling it a great example of the public and private sectors working together.
The Ministry of Social Development's employer services manager in Nelson said the response from Work and Income clients was overwhelming.
Lianne Nichols said 560 applications were received and the store was impressed at the calibre of job-seekers.
