SEEK data shows job ads rose 1% in November, up 9% on last year.

Hiring demand also strengthened on a quarterly view, with job ads up 4% quarter-on-quarter and 7% compared with the same quarter last year.

Applications per ad fell 1% month-on-month, the first drop since early 2022.

Rob Clark, SEEK NZ Country Manager, said the steady lift points to “a genuine recovery phase rather than simply stabilising”.

Regionally, Marlborough was the only area to record a monthly decline, down 1%. Tasman, Northland, Manawatu and Waikato led the monthly rises, each up 2%.

Annual growth was strongest in parts of the South Island, including West Coast (30%) and Southland (27%). Auckland was steady month-on-month and up 1% year-on-year, with a reported 18% annual increase in demand for Information & Communication Technology workers.

By industry, Advertising, Arts & Media rose 4% month-on-month. Information & Communication Technology rose 1%, marking 12 straight months of growth.

Table: Industries with fastest annual job ad growth – November 2025 v November 2024

Healthcare & Medical lifted 2% and has increased every month since February 2025. Banking & Financial Services fell 3% and Hospitality & Tourism fell 2%.

For Hibiscus Coast readers job hunting or hiring, the Auckland picture is improving, but it is not moving evenly.

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