The Greens are pointing to rising unemployment and sanctions - as the reason Kiwis are leaving in droves

Social Development stats show eight-thousand more people were on a main benefit in June - compared to March.

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says this two-percent increase, comes ahead of a forecast decrease from December.

But the Greens Social Development spokesperson, Ricardo Menendez March, says it shows the Government's pushing more into unemployment, and still punishing people out of work.

March says it's blatant cruelty dressed as policy.