New Zealand job advertisements on job board Seek fell by 24% in January 2024 when compared to January 2023.

On a month-on-month basis, job ads rose for the first time since August, up 1%. This was also the third increase in 12 months. This was supported by job ad growth in most of the regions, including a significant rise in Manawatu and in the three largest industries. 

At the same time, applications per job ad continue to rise - up 6% from November to December, when they were already at the highest recorded levels in Seek history.

Though the annual comparison is weak, Rob Clark, Country Manager, Seek New Zealand, said, “Job ad volumes took a positive turn in January, rising for the first time in five months. This was led by a 10% boost in retail & consumer jobs, the greatest jump that industry has seen in over two years.”

“Ad levels in Manawatu were up 20% (month-on-month), driven by rises in large hiring industries including trades & services and manufacturing, transport & logistics,” Clark said. “With the population surging over the past year and more people in the country available for work, competition among candidates has become extremely tight, as demonstrated by peaking applications per job ad levels each month.”

Hawkes Bay also reported notable monthly growth (8%) in January. Canterbury (-5%), Northland (-7%) and Marlborough (-12%) recorded declines in job ads whereas all other regions increased over the month.

On an annual basis, Wellington noted the steepest decline at 34%, followed by Marlborough (-30%).

Banking & financial services recorded the greatest growth in demand, rising 27% from December, followed by marketing & communications (18%).