Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The data also shows that the economy continued to add jobs, with 27,700 more people in work than in the September quarter, with more young people in work in particular. Hours worked rebounded 7.6 percent as restrictions in response to the Delta outbreak were eased over the quarter. The total number of people in work is now 117,300 above where it was in the pre-COVID December 2019 quarter. Kiwibank's economist noted that there was no denying the strength of the labour market in this report, pointing out, "Jobs are plentiful, unemployment is at a new record low, and wages are rising." 