New Zealand job ads continue to decline in November

The number of job ads in November went down by eight per cent month-on-month, according to data from SEEK NZ.

This continues a decline that started in September after the recruitment site registered a four-per-cent drop, followed by one per cent in October 2022.

This indicates the job market has "eased,” according to Rob Clark, SEEK NZ country manager.

"The job market has eased since record-level job ad volumes in May, and the proximity to Christmas has led to job ad numbers dropping nationally month-on-month.”

Figures still high

Despite the drop, the number of job ads remain 29% higher than November 2019 nationally.

Per industry, the SEEK NZ Employment report also found that job ad volumes are still higher than 2019 levels.

The top industries that drove the decline include administration and office support (-12%), hospitality and tourism (-10%), as well as trades and services (-7%).

"The manufacturing, transport & logistics, healthcare & medical and hospitality & tourism industries are experiencing talent demand significantly higher than 2019 levels, even as we move away from the peak levels of earlier this year," Clark said.

The findings reflect the reopening of many businesses as tourists start returning to the country. Earlier this month, the Restaurant Association of New Zealand said that the hospitality industry would need "another 30,000 employees to keep up with the pace of growth over the summer period."

Every region also recorded a month-on-month decline in job ads in November except for Gisborne, which reported a 17% increase, according to the SEEK NZ report.

The decline rates were the biggest in Taranaki (-13%), Manawatu (-12%), and the West Coast (-11%).

Applications go up

However, the number of applications per job ad increased by four per cent month-on-month in November.

"Candidate activity is also generally expected to quieten at this time of year, but applications per job ad are picking up as job ads are moderating, with all of the largest industries recording increases month-on-month," Clark said.

The industries with the largest increase in applications include manufacturing, transport, and logistics (5%), trades and services (5%), as well as information and communication technology (6%). Per region, applications per job ad increased everywhere except for Manawatu, Tasman, and the West Coast, finds SEEK NZ.

The new report came amid changes in New Zealand's immigration system, which are expected to put people in the vacancies that many employers said they've been struggling to fill.

"It's good news for hirers because obviously they want more candidates to choose from," Clark said as quoted by Radio New Zealand.

"For a candidate, it's still a good market, because there are still a large number of jobs out there."