Job ads across New Zealand rose 1% in August, marking three straight months of growth and the first annual lift in over two years.

Applications per ad also hit a record high, rising 2%, showing just how competitive the job market has become.

SEEK NZ Country Manager Rob Clark says hiring activity is finally moving after months of stasis.

“We have seen incremental increases the past three months, with data adjusted. There was increased activity across most industries and all of the larger regions in August. We have not seen such broad-based growth in a very long time.”

Regionally, job ads rose fastest in Hawke’s Bay (4%), Otago (3%) and the West Coast (3%).

Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury also recorded month-on-month and year-on-year gains.

Only Taranaki saw a drop, down 2%.

Real Estate & Property is leading the charge, up 4% month-on-month and 25% year-on-year, while Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics (3%) and Trades & Services (2%) also added solid demand.

Government & Defence and Farming, Conservation & Animals were the only sectors to dip slightly in August, though Defence remains up 21% year-on-year.

For Coasties, especially those commuting into Auckland, this mix of rising job ads and record-high applications means more opportunities but tougher competition.

With more people chasing every role, job seekers will need to bring their A-game, whether in trades, services, or property-related work.

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