More jobs in store as Hawke's Bay economy soars above other regions

New jobs were across the board - in orchards, pack houses, marketing and logistics.

Hawke's Bay's economy is set to add jobs and the unemployment rate may fall, according to job advertising data.

The region is leading the nation in its increase in growth, with job ads growing 11.6 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest ANZ job advertising survey.

ANZ senior economist Sharon Zollner said Hawke's Bay was "on a roll" as its three-month average to May topped the nation. "A lift in fortunes for pipfruit and tourism is giving Napier and Hastings their place in the sun," she said.

Pipfruit New Zealand business development manager Gary Jones said industry investment was returning a dividend to the regional economy.

New jobs were across the board - in orchards, pack houses, marketing and logistics.

"The actual growth in the industry is just starting to bubble through," he said. Business Hawke's Bay CEO Susan White said it was pleasing to see Hawke's Bay "at the best end of an economic statistic".

As well as employee numbers increasing in pipfruit and tourism, she was aware of manufacturers taking on more staff.

"These companies have worked their way through the Global Financial Crisis and its impacts and are now gearing to deliver on growth prospects they are generating," she said.

Auckland was the only main centre with more jobs advertised than a year ago - up 8.9 per cent.

Nationally, compared with the same period last year, advertisements were up 2.6 per cent but this year was softening, Ms Zollner said.

Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO Wayne Walford said the job advertisement data was more good economic news.

There are all sorts of good things compounding, enabling people to make positive choices about Hawke's Bay

Wayne Walford

Rural Directions director Brent Paterson said the company's Hawke's Bay job advertisements received about 10 times more applicants than less popular parts of New Zealand.

"There is no question the Hawke's Bay environment attracts work, particularly in the higher-end management roles," he said.