Source: Radio New Zealand
The increase showed the job market in 2026 was on “much stronger footing”, according to SEEK. (File photo) 123rf
Job ads rose for the eighth month in a row in January, showing the job market was on a “much stronger footing” than a year ago, according to SEEK.
The latest SEEK NZ Employment Report shows job ads increased 1.3 percent in January, while December’s result was revised up to a 1.5 percent rise from an initially reported fall of 0.3 percent.
SEEK NZ country manager Rob Clark said New Zealand’s job market had entered 2026 on a “much stronger footing” than a year earlier.
“Nationally, annual growth is at its highest in over three years and monthly volumes have been ticking up since the middle of 2025,” Clark said.
Gisborne led monthly growth with a 3.9 percent lift in job ads, followed by Manawatū, Otago and Taranaki.
Wellington rose 1.5 percent, driven by a 3.3 percent increase in Government & Defence roles.
In Auckland, small gains in large industries – including Information & Communications Technology and Trades & Services – pushed ad volumes 1.1 percent higher.
On an annual basis, the South Island continues to outperform the North Island.
Otago and Southland both recorded job ad growth of more than 23 percent, led by demand for construction and trades workers.
Nationally, the construction and industrial sectors remain the strongest performers, with annual job ads up 20.1 percent and 16.5 percent respectively.
Meanwhile, applications per job ad were unchanged in December, signalling a stabilising job‑seeker market, though competition for roles remains elevated.
Clark said persistent strength in construction, agriculture, trades, logistics and the ICT ecosystem over the past year was “welcome news after such a long period of decline”.
He said the market was now characterised by “gradual but consistent expansion rather than rapid swings”, reflecting growing employer confidence.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
