SEEK reports that job ads increased for the eighth consecutive month in January, indicating the job market stands on a “much stronger footing” than a year ago.
The latest SEEK NZ Employment Report reveals a 1.3% rise in job ads for January, with December’s figure revised upward to a 1.5% increase from an initial 0.3% decline.
“Nationally, annual growth is at its highest in over three years, and monthly volumes have been ticking up since the middle of 2025,” SEEK NZ country manager Rob Clark said.
For Clark, New Zealand’s job market started 2026 on a “much stronger footing” compared to a year prior.
Gisborne topped monthly growth with a 3.9% increase in job ads, followed by Manawatū, Otago, and Taranaki.
Wellington saw a 1.5% rise, fuelled by a 3.3% jump in government & defence roles.
In Auckland, modest gains in major sectors like Information & Communications Technology and Trades & Services lifted job ad volumes by 1.1%.
Year-over-year, the South Island keeps outpacing the North Island.
Otago and Southland both posted over 23% job ad growth annually, driven by demand for construction and trades workers.
Nationally, construction and industrial sectors lead with annual job ad increases of 20.1% and 16.5%, respectively.
Applications per job ad held steady in December, pointing to a stabilising job-seeker market—though competition for roles stays high.
Clark noted that the ongoing strength in construction, agriculture, trades, logistics, and ICT over the past year is “welcome news after such a long period of decline.”
He described the market as now featuring “gradual but consistent expansion rather than rapid swings,” signalling rising employer confidence.