New Zealand's jobseekers becoming 'pragmatic' in seeking new work
Jobseekers in New Zealand are taking a "pragmatic response" to the rising costs of living and changing job market, with regional and hands-on jobs strongly becoming in demand, according to a new report from Trade Me Jobs.
Job searches in New Zealand recorded a 12% month-on-month increase in April, indicating that employees are actively seeking new options for work.
Greg Cassidy, general manager at Trade Me Jobs, reported that employees are exploring roles in the regions, looking for flexible work to cut commute costs, or pivoting entirely to new industries.
"What we have seen in our data is a pragmatic response to the current cost of living and changing job market," Cassidy said in a statement.
Job-searching outside cities
According to Trade Me Jobs, employees are going beyond the cities to look for work, with job searches surging in locations such as:
- New Plymouth (+40.2%)
- Invercargill (+37.7%)
- Dunedin (+31.8%)
- Gisborne (+25.2%)
- Palmerston North (+23.8%)
This is aligned with recent research saying Kiwis are growing more open to relocating for their work. A separate poll from Trade Me Jobs earlier this year found that 68% of job hunters are willing to relocate for a job.
"As city living becomes less affordable, people are actively exploring opportunities in the outer regions where housing and lifestyle costs are often more attractive," Cassidy said.
Meanwhile, the rise of AI adoption in workplaces is also driving demand for more hands-on roles in New Zealand, according to the report.
The report found that security roles in the country saw a 77.3% increase in searches, followed by driving and trucking roles, which observed a 48.5% increase. Other in-demand positions include:
- Apprenticeships (+37.6%)
- Chef roles (+37.5%)
- Cleaning jobs (+28%)
"Whether it's looking for stability in essential services or seeking a complete career change, it's clear that Kiwis [are adapting their job-hunting strategies to meet the challenges of the current economic environment," Cassidy said.
"The demand for 'on-the-ground' roles remains a massive driver of our local economy."
