Advertised job vacancies in New Zealand rose 17% in the quarter ended June 2021 and are now above pre-Covid levels, the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment reported last week.

Year over year, vacancies were up 93%, and when compared to the same quarter two years ago, they were up 21%.

Vacancies increased across all industries in the quarter ended June 2021. However, industries showing particularly large increases included hospitality, up 31%; manufacturing, up 20%; and IT, up 19%.

Vacancies grew in all eight occupation groups, with the sales group showing the strongest percentage increase, up 22%, in online advertising during the June 2021 quarter. It was followed by “labourers,” up 21%, and “machinery operators and drivers,” up 20%.

Job advertisements also increased in all skill levels during the June 2021 quarter. The biggest increases were for “low-skilled and unskilled,” both up 20%, and “skilled,” up 19%.

In addition, online advertised vacancies also grew in all regions. Regions with the largest increases included Auckland, which saw vacancies rise by 21%, and Otago, which saw vacancies increase by 19%.