Social service providers across the East Coast are dealing with record numbers of people struggling to find employment, with some sending out hundreds of applications without success.

Among those seeking work was Leilani Kea, who told 1News she’s applied for “300 or more” jobs this year.

“It is very frustrating trying to find at least one,” she said.

The 22-year-old said constantly amending her CV and jumping through hoops during the recruitment process, only to be met with a no – or, at times, no response at all – had taken its toll.

“It is very hard trying to get a yes. And sometimes, you do get really torn down because you don’t get that yes,” Kea said.

She said she didn’t know how many times she has cried over being rejected. “It is stressful, it’s depressing sometimes, but you get in some moods that, you know, you can’t actually get that job.”

Kea, who had an Arts degree, was hoping for work as a teacher, but was now open to any job.

“I’ll be happy with anything. Just something that will keep me busy and, hopefully, full-time would help.”

Surge in jobseekers desperate for mahi

Central Hawke’s Bay family services agency Te Taiwhenua o Tamatea had also recorded a surge in requests from those desperate for mahi.

Support worker Bevan Thompson said people from all walks of life were struggling to land full-time positions.

Thompson said she felt “sorry” for Kea, who she called “young, motivated, keen as”.

“I see people come in with some of the best qualifications, like better qualifications than me, and they’re struggling just to try and try and get themselves over the line.

“I try and connect a lot more with the employers and to see what person that I’ve got on my books that would suit them.”

Thompson said the agency was also trying to quash the stain on jobseekers being on benefits as they looked for work.

“We are trying to get rid of the stigma about, ‘Oh, they’re on the dole, they’re unemployed, they’re just sitting on their butts all day’. But no, that’s not it. We’ve seen a lot more people coming through trying, going into the budget services, coming to our local food basket and all that.”

Unemployment up 78% over three years

A labour force survey by Stats NZ showed unemployment rising 78% over recent years for the East Coast.

In 2023, 4100 people were unemployed in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay. That figure increased to 7300 in 2025.

Kerry Henderson, the manager for budgeting service Weave Hawke’s Bay, said people were turning to KiwiSaver and credit cards to meet weekly necessities, and need for support was now at a record high.

She said the service had seen a “huge increase in the amount of debt with clients coming through”, roughly $15 million of debt from the first quarter of the year.

“At this trend, our debt’s going to double for the year and that’s alarming because it’s not like people are coming to us being responsible. It’s families, it’s individuals, it’s business owners coming in, not being irresponsible but just struggling with necessities and trying to make ends meet.

“The debt is really alarming because there’s no long-term fixes or solutions, it’s going to be hard slog ahead for a lot of people.”

Henderson said without “the right prioritisation and support” in health, education, social services and intergenerational trauma, “I can’t see this is going to get any easier for government, non-government, whānau, social support services”.

“We’re in for some long roads, long days ahead.”

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston accepted it was a challenging time and encouraged jobseekers to look at moving towns.

“I accept it is really challenging. That’s why our focus is on growing the economy and ensuring that those businesses have the confidence to take on more staff is where it’s at. So, we’re going to focus on that,” Upston said.