It's a 'job hunter's market' as listings jump

Photo / APN

The New Zealand job market is thriving, with the number of job listings on Trade Me up 21 per cent on the same time last year.

According to analysis of over 50,000 roles posted on the listing website in the first quarter of this year, the job market is 'looking very rosy,' says head of Trade Me jobs, Peter Osborne.

"With more roles being advertised, Kiwis hunting that dream job are looking well-placed to consider their next career move."

"The national employment market is flourishing with Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury all seeing positive growth," Osborne said.

Central Auckland workers now have the highest pay in the country taking home an average annual salary of $72,302, according to Trade Me figures, overtaking Wellington Central ($70,234), and ahead of New Plymouth where the average annual salary is now $61,143.

Osborne says recent research found that almost half of employees are willing to relocate for a new job - with better pay being the primary motivation followed by redundancy and career development as factors.

"With the surge in job listings, now is a good time for anyone contemplating that next great role to put their thinking into action," he said.

Canterbury job listings were up 24 per cent on the same time last year. Industries that experienced growth in Christchurch city included manufacturing, transport, trades and construction.

Osborne said Wellington was recently revealed as the most desirable New Zealand destination to head to for a new job.

"We saw 18 per cent of respondents choose the capital, while the Bay of Plenty was next with 14 per cent of the vote," he said.

"The job market in Wellington is in good shape for new arrivals, with a 26 per cent tick up in advertised roles on a year ago."

Information and communications technology workers continue to be highly-sought after, with four of the top five paying jobs being in the IT sector.

Doctors and specialists command the highest pay rates based on the Trade Me analysis - banking an average $147,928 a year. This was followed by IT architects ($134,547) and IT sales ($130,174). Conversely, kitchen staff and caregiving staff had the lowest average full-time pay rates.

Sectors seeing increased listings this quarter include IT sales (up 166 per cent), journalism (up 156 per cent) and retail department manager roles (up 131 per cent).

"As mortgage rates rise, so too does the desire for a better pay check at the end of the week. With perceptions of job opportunities markedly improving, and recent signs that firms are looking to step up their hiring efforts, it's becoming a job hunter's market," Osborne said.