Earlier this month, the number of people on a benefit reached a new record for the June quarter with over 380,889 people or 11.9% of the working-age population receiving a benefit.

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Someone working quietly to change those figures, is Lower Hutt man, Thomas Maharaj. He's the founder of 'I'm in' a pre-employment programme designed to support businesses to take a chance on kiwis, and provide pastoral care and pre-employment support to jobseekers who are eager to enter the workforce.

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In just over a year 'I'm In' has grown to have two offices, one in each half of the country, and a newly opened employment centre in Lower Hutt, as their team and the number of people their placing in work continues to grow.