Job ad volumes in New Zealand declined by 26% in July compared to the same period a year ago, according to data from job board Seek.

Seek job ads declined 4% month-on-month in July. At the same time, job ads are now just 1% higher than in July 2019.

Meanwhile, applications per job ad rose 11% in June 2023 compared to May 2023 and are now at the highest level on record.

Seek’s New Zealand country manager, Rob Clark, said: "While job ad volumes have declined for the past four months, they remain just slightly higher than July 2019 figures, especially in the smaller regions, demonstrating there is still demand for workers. This is particularly true for the community services & development and sport & recreation industries, where job ad volumes are significantly higher than pre-Covid."

"Applications per job ad are now at record high levels, meaning there is now more competition for the jobs available than ever before," Clark said. "We are seeing an increase in the number of applications that are coming from overseas, with the most applications directed at entry-level or support services roles."

All regions reported a year-on-year decline in July, led by Tasman (-30%). Compared to the previous month, most regions recorded a decline in job ad volumes in July, apart from Hawkes Bay, which recorded no change and West Coast, which rose by 1%.

Four industries recorded a month-on-month increase in job ads in July, including a 5% rise in administration & office support and sport & recreation volumes.

The overall decline was driven by declines in the large industries of manufacturing, transport & logistics (-8%), information & communication technology (-7%) and trades & services (-6%).