An ongoing emphasis on hiring New Zealand workers as a priority and the timely arrival of snow this year has resulted in a significant drop in the numbers of people on the unemployment benefit.
Numbers dropped from 104 in June last year to 46 in June this year, which Southern regional labour market manager Emma Hamilton described as "particularly low".
"It's gone down quite a lot this year.
"We are working proactively with Immigration to get New Zealanders first into employment."
Ms Hamilton said that meant employers who had previously relied on foreign workers to fill positions were being encouraged to consult Work and Income.
"There's an emphasis to come to us first before going to immigration."
The relationship had been stepped up in the past couple of years, leading to a decrease in numbers on the benefit.
Last year's lack of snow had led to the larger-than-usual number of 104 unemployment beneficiaries because NZSki was unable to pay staff while the fields were not open.
NZSki was one of the many organisations which aimed to hire New Zealand staff and the large number of beneficiaries last year reflected that, Ms Hamilton said.
Queenstown was an area which rarely experienced a shortage in jobs, particularly in hospitality and retail, she said.
"There's a huge number of jobs here during the peak seasons.
"There are jobs, if people want them."
Overall, 385 people in Queenstown are now receiving a benefit; 153 are receiving the domestic purposes benefit, 79 the sickness benefit, and 89 the invalid's benefit.
The number of people receiving benefits has dropped to 385 from 512 since June last year.
A spokesman from Immigration New Zealand could not be contacted.
