New Zealand job advertisements on job board Seek fell by 27% in February 2024 when compared to February 2023.

On a monthly basis, job ads fell by 3% in February while applications per job ad rose by 3% over the same period.

By region and on an annual basis, only Gisborne (16%) and Hawkes Bay (9%) reported increases in February while the other regions recorded decreases. The steepest annual falls were seen in Taranaki (-43%) and Wellington (-38%).

When compared to January 2024, both Marlborough (9%) and Gisborne (9%) saw the biggest increases while Manawatu (-24%) and Taranaki (-14%) saw the steepest falls.

Meanwhile, the sales industry was the only one to report a year-on-year increase at 1%. The ICT (information and communication technology) industry saw the biggest decline at 40%, followed by manufacturing, transport and logistics.

On a monthly basis, healthcare and medical report the highest increase at 6% while the steepest fall was seen in manufacturing, transport and logistics.