Job numbers rose in September 2020 compared to last year as well as the previous month, largely due to an increase in filled jobs in public administration and safety, according to data from Statistics New Zealand.

Filled jobs were up, month-on-month by 7,266 to 2.2 million in September 2020, after a similar rise in August. The number of filled jobs usually rise between August and September, last year’s numbers were up by 12,626 over the period.

When compared to September 2019, the number of filled jobs rose by 20,025, or 0.9%.

“Jobs in public sector administration have been rising since April,” economic statistics manager Sue Chapman said. “Some of September’s increase is related to preparation for the General Election, which was held on October 17.”

The public administration and safety industry had 4,558 more jobs in September 2020 compared with August. Healthcare and social assistance had the second-largest increase, up 2,356 jobs.

On the other hand, the largest fall in filled jobs came from the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry, down 2,633 jobs.

All the regions were up in filled jobs compared with August.

Meanwhile, gross earnings for the September 2020 quarter were NZD 35.4 billion (USD 23.5 million), up NZD 2.6 billion (USD 1.7 million) (7.9%) compared with the June 2020 quarter.