SEEK says job ads rose 1.3% in January and are now 11.7% higher than a year ago.

Rob Clark, SEEK NZ Country Manager, says: “New Zealand’s employment market has entered 2026 on a stronger footing than a year ago.”

He says the pattern is “gradual but consistent expansion rather than rapid swings.”

SEEK says applications per job ad did not change month-on-month in December and have stabilised near their peak for the past six months.

For Hibiscus Coast locals watching where hiring is strongest, SEEK says most industries recorded monthly, quarterly and annual rises in January.

It says Construction and Industrial have driven much of the annual growth, rising 20.1% and 16.5% year-on-year.

It also says annual growth was stronger in Construction (36.4%), Farming, Animals & Conservation (32.2%) and Consulting & Strategy (27.6%) than other industries.

SEEK says job ad growth month-on-month was led by Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics, Trades & Services, and Healthcare & Medical.

It says fewer industries fell month-on-month, with Real Estate & Property recording the largest decline at -2.3%.

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