Trade Me jobs up across NZ

Trade Me is reporting good growth in jobs ads across New Zealand. Photo / NZ Herald

The country is enjoying high job growth, which is encouraging people to stay here rather than pack up for Australia, Trade Me says.

All regions have recorded growth in the number of jobs advertised on Trade Me Jobs in the April-June quarter.

Trade Me Jobs head Peter Osborne said the number of job listings nationwide was up 19 per cent on the same period last year.

"Growth in listings has been very strong, despite the potential handbrake effect of the unusual combination of Easter and Anzac Day holidays in March, and a Budget that had a cooling effect on the number of jobs advertised in May."

Most advertisers were upbeat, he said.

"We're hearing plenty of optimistic reports from recruiters and employers, and the majority are planning to keep on hiring too."

Improved economic and employment opportunities in New Zealand also contributed to the lowest ever level of migration to Australia in May, Osborne said.

"Kiwis are increasingly likely to stay in New Zealand which is good news for NZ Inc, and is also complemented by returning expats who have noticed things on the improve back here in New Zealand."

Osborne said the lift in advertised roles in all regions was a "pretty unusual but very welcome" result.

Auckland still shone brightly - up 21 per cent - while Canterbury and Wellington maintained their considerable growth trajectories - up 21 per cent and 15 per cent respectively.

Waikato was another standout performer with job ad growth of 24 per cent, and Otago comfortably reached double digits with a 16 per cent lift, Mr Osborne said.

The demand for skilled workers was still high, with candidates in IT, engineering, construction and legal the most difficult to source.

"Anyone with decent skills in these areas holds the balance of power at present, and they're in a great position if they are hunting for new opportunities," Osborne said.

In terms of the number of jobs available, roles in trade (32 per cent), construction (39 per cent) and transport (29 per cent) saw the highest jump compared to this time last year.

The average pay was flat at $60,881 nationally, Osborne said.

"Pay levels holding firm is good news for employers, and a little unexpected given the tight labour market. If demand for workers continues to outstrip supply, wage inflation is inevitable as employers offer fatter pay packets in a bid to entice staff."

There was "no end in sight" for Auckland's consistently high demand for skilled labour, Osborne said.

"The City of Sails accounts for around 40 per cent of all jobs advertised across the country, and will continue to be a beacon of opportunity."

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Listings growth by region for April - June, 2014

Region percentage change vs same time last year

* Auckland 21.2
* Bay Of Plenty 13.2
* Canterbury 20.5
* Gisborne 7.2
* Hawkes Bay 11.1
* Manawatu / Wanganui 11.6
* Marlborough 10.7
* Nelson / Tasman 20.6
* Northland 2.9
* Otago 15.6
* Southland 65.6
* Taranaki 2.2
* Waikato 23.7
* Wellington 15.3
* West Coast 48.7

* Grand Total 19.0

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* Lowest paid Pay rate ($)

1 Mackenzie (Canterbury) $42,333
2 Tararua $45,417
3 Horowhenua $46,036
4 Hauraki (Waikato) $47,095
5 Upper Hutt $47,863