19/10/2026
New Zealand’s job market is picking up, with a twist that favours employers right now.
📈 Job ads are up 7.8% on a year ago (SEEK)
📊 Unemployment sits at 5.6% (Stats NZ, June quarter)
⛏️ Mining, resources & energy job ads are up 41.4% on a year ago
Applications per job ad are also rising, so many employers have a stronger pool of candidates than they’ve had in a while. Trades, manufacturing and logistics, and healthcare are all advertising more than last year too.
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