The number of filled jobs in New Zealand went up by 1.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis in the quarter ended June 2023 when compared to the previous quarter (March), according to data from Statistics New Zealand.

The 1.1% quarterly increase is the same as the quarterly increase seen in the March 2023 quarter (25,456 jobs). Meanwhile, in June 2022, the quarterly increase was up 0.3%.

A filled job is defined as a continuing employer-employee relationship.

“This is the tenth quarter in a row for a seasonally adjusted increase in filled jobs, with both quarters for 2023 increasing over 1%,” business employment insights manager Sue Chapman said.

On an annual basis, the largest proportions of increases in filled jobs came from the age categories, 30–34 years, 35–39 years, and 40–44 years. The 35–39 years age group had the largest increase in filled jobs, up 16,562 (7.1%) from June 2022 to June 2023.

The 30–34 years age group had an increase in filled jobs of 14,035 (5.3%) and the 40–44 years age group had an increase of 12,622 (5.9%) for the year ended June 2023. Filled jobs in the 15–19 years age band increased 9,357 (7.1%) from June 2022 to June 2023.

In the 65+ age band, filled jobs increased 8,376 (7.4%) annually. By industry, the largest increase for this age group came from 1,848 filled jobs added in the education and training industry this quarter.

By industry, the accommodation and support services industry, up 14,805 filled jobs (11%), led the increase for June 2023 when compared with June 2022. The annual rise in filled jobs was also supported by health care and social services, up 8,298 (3.2%), and transport, postal, and warehousing, up 6,886 filled jobs (7.9%) compared with June 2022.

The research also found that total gross earnings for the year ended June 2023 increased by NZD 13.1 billion (USD 7.73 billion), up 8.7% from the year ended June 2022. The health care and social assistance industry was the largest contributor to this increase. Gross earnings were up NZD 1.8 billion (USD 1.06 billion),  up 10%. Professional, scientific, and technical services were  also up 10% to NZD 1.6 billion(USD 944.6 million).