The Student Job Search organisation is New Zealand’s largest, Government-funded employment service, connecting tertiary students and recent graduates with employers.
Saviker said Student Job Search has seen the market return to pre-Covid vacancy levels but it’s more short-term, casual and seasonal work, meaning “students have to juggle multiple jobs rather than being able to rely on one single stable part-time role”.
Forty-nine per cent of all jobs listed on Student Job Search in quarter 2 of the 2025/26 financial year were casual roles, while permanent fulltime roles made up just 2.5%, well below historical norms.
“We need three or four times the volume of roles from 2019 to make up the hours students need to earn to live,” Saviker said.
“It’s creating tensions between work and study – with students missing a lecture or study to go to work.
“They need to be in paid employment to survive.”
She said it can take up to applying for 30 or more jobs before students can secure work – but once they’re in the job market it often leads to new opportunities.
On the flipside, Saviker said students are often staying in study because it’s too expensive to stop.
“They can’t afford to not have access to student allowances and loans, which has a long-term impact.”
Both the Victoria and Otago University Students’ Association presidents said university students are struggling to support themselves.
Victoria University Student Association president Aidan Donoghue said there are only so many part-time jobs that can accommodate the university schedule.
“With the loss of 10,000 jobs in Wellington alone, this issue has got really bad.”
Otago University Student Association president Daniel Leamy agreed – he said it’s never been an easy feat getting part-time work in a small student city, but as harsh economic conditions take their toll on young people, things have got worse.
“Students are competing against the odds,” Leamy said.
“Although they may have worked over summers, they’re up against people with CVs full of experience.”
“It’s such a struggle at the moment.”
Saviker agreed, adding that employers are choosing to hire more mid and senior employees who are also hunting for work.
She’s calling for employers to remember students exist.
“I’m constantly trying to remind employers that students are ready, willing and they’re an incredible workforce,” Saviker said.
“It would be fantastic if they can remember to consider them when they’ve got a vacancy that comes up.”
Her advice to students is to “stay persistent” and there is hope, “with every application getting you a step closer”.
Rosie Leishman is a Christchurch-based reporter and multimedia journalist at Newstalk ZB.
