Candidate activity also continues its growth, according to SEEK NZ data
Job ads across New Zealand continued their descent in the last month of 2023 with SEEK NZ recording a 2% decrease in December.
This follows the declining trend recorded over the past months - with November seeing a 5% month-on-month decrease and October registering a 6% monthly decline.
Annually, national job ads are now down 25% in December 2023 compared with the same period last year, according to the report.
But as job ads decline, the number of candidates applying for the postings went up nine per cent, continuing the increasing trend of candidate activity over the past months.
"Hirers are being spoiled for choice with applicants at the moment, and candidates will therefore have to work harder to stand out amongst the strong level of competition," said Rob Clark, country manager of SEEK NZ, in a previous statement.
Hiring by region
By region, the highest month-on-month decline was recorded in Gisborne (-13%) and Manawatu (-12%), according to the report. Other regions recorded:
- Hawkes Bay (-9%)
- Taranaki (-9%)
- Southland (-7%)
- Tasman (-7%)
- Wellington (-6%)
- Waikato (-3%)
- Auckland (-2%)
- Otago (-1%)
On the other hand, the West Coast recorded an eight per cent monthly increase in the number of job ads. Other regions that logged a monthly increase include:
- Canterbury (3%)
- Marlborough (3%)
- Northland (3%)
- Bay of Plenty (1%)
Hiring by industry
By industry, the Administration and Office Support sector saw the highest month-on-month decline of job ads with -7%. Other industries recorded:
- Healthcare and Medical (-5%)
- Information and Communication Technology (-4%)
- Accounting (-4%)
- Manufacturing, Transport, and Logistics (-1%)
The Hospitality and Tourism industry saw the highest monthly increase in job ads with seven per cent, followed by the Construction sector with six per cent, and then the Retail and Consumer Products sector with one per cent.
Sales as well as Trades and Services industries did not see an increase nor decrease in job ads monthly, according to the report.
