The Economic Growth Minister says things are picking up in some regions sooner than others. 

Unemployment's hit a ten-year high nationally, reaching 5.7% in Bay of Plenty, 5.8% in Wellington, 5.9% in Waikato, and 6.4% in Auckland. 

But it's fallen to 3.7% in Canterbury and just 2.3% in Otago. 

Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking employment is rising in many sectors, but it's not even around the country. 

She says Canterbury in particular has seen a big rise job numbers. 

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