Job advertisements in New Zealand fell by 22% in December compared to the same time last year, according to Seek NZ’s latest employment report. Applications per job also saw a slight dip, dropping by 2% year-on-year.

Regionally, the decline was most noticeable in major cities: Auckland saw a 4% drop in job ads, Wellington fell by 3%, and Canterbury experienced a 5% decline. Taranaki stood out as the only region where job ads didn’t decrease compared to the previous year.

Seek NZ country manager Rob Clark described the overall trend for 2024 as one of decline but noted some bright spots in specific industries.

“Despite the overall drop, some industries saw growth, such as banking and financial services, insurance, superannuation, and trade and service roles. These sectors experienced a late-year surge in opportunities,” Clark said.

He also pointed out that hiring activity typically picks up early in the year. “January and February are always interesting months, as both employers and job seekers start focusing on future plans. We’ll be keeping an eye on these trends as the year kicks off.”

Keep an eye out for shifts in the job market as the new year progresses!