Job ads in New Zealand fell by 6% in October, and they are now 1% lower than October 2019 levels, job board operator Seek reported. Declines were seen in all regions with the exception of Taranaki, where volumes grew by 7%.

Driving the decline in job ads were New Zealand’s largest cities. In Auckland, job ads fell by 4%, while Wellington recorded a 6% decrease in job ads. Additionally, job ads fell by 6% in Canterbury.

However, applications per job ad rose 4% after falling the prior month and are nearing peak levels.

“A rebound in applications per job ad levels, after a drop the month prior, discounts the idea that candidate interest is plateauing,” Rob Clark, Seek New Zealand country manager, said in a press release. “Application levels are again close to a record high, which demonstrates the desire for many workers to make a move ahead of Christmas.”

This should mean greater choice for companies that are hiring, Clark said.

Looking at the data by industry, the overall decline in job ads in October was driven by manufacturing, transport and logistics, down 7%; administration and office support, down 8%; and trades and services, down 6%.

Not all industries recorded declines. In real estate and property, job ads rose by 23%. Also, education and training saw job ads rise by 11%.