New Zealand Employment Figures Broken Down: Industries, Regions and Pay for Job Seekers Abroad
News · 2026-08-28 · 4 min read
Planning to relocate to New Zealand for work? The latest employment figures are more than economic background. Read carefully, they show where opportunities are strongest at the moment and where hiring has slowed.
According to Stats NZ's latest employment indicators, filled jobs rose by roughly 18,000 over the year to July, bringing the national total to 2.34 million. Seasonally adjusted, employers added another 7,746 roles from June to July, an increase of 0.3%. For a prospective migrant, the headline is less important than the detail: which industries, regions and age groups are taking on staff.
Health and care lead the growth
Healthcare and social assistance was the strongest performer, with 6,581 more jobs over the year, a rise of 2.3%. No other industry created as many new positions. If your background is in nursing, aged care, allied health or support work, this is probably the most positive signal in the figures.
Other industries: gains and one decline
| Industry | Annual change |
|---|---|
| Public administration and safety | up 6,418 jobs (4%) |
| Education and training | up 2,630 jobs (1.2%) |
| Construction | up 1,810 jobs (0.9%) |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | down 2,078 jobs (1.1%) |
The construction result is worth noting for tradespeople, because that industry moves closely with spending on housing and infrastructure. On the other hand, professional, scientific and technical services, which includes much of NZ's office-based and technology-related workforce, went backwards. If your migration plan rests on a consulting, IT or scientific services job, allow for that weakness, even while health and public sector roles move the other way.
Regional winners and the region falling behind
Where you settle matters as much as what you do. Canterbury recorded the largest increase, gaining 6,824 jobs over the year (2.2%), which suggests the Christchurch economy continues to grow well beyond the rebuild. Solid growth also came from Auckland (+4,427) and Waikato (+3,330), and Otago gained 1,710.
Northland moved in the other direction, losing 1,526 jobs. That 2.1% fall was the sharpest of any region Stats NZ highlighted. If you are deciding between regions, the message is clear: at present the South Island and the central North Island are doing better than the north.
Hiring by gender and age
The breakdown by worker group is also relevant for skilled migrants and their families:
- Women took most of the year's job growth, gaining 7,959 roles (0.7%), against 3,819 (0.3%) for men.
- Workers aged 65 and over saw employment rise 4.1%, an extra 5,407 jobs. This is helpful context if you are moving later in your career or intend to keep working beyond the usual retirement age.
- The 35-to-39 group had the biggest gain in absolute terms, up 9,030 jobs (3.2%).
- The 30-to-34 group lost ground, down 5,180 jobs (1.8%).
Earnings on the rise
Job numbers are not the only thing increasing. Total gross earnings nationwide reached $16.5 billion in July, $607 million (3.8%) higher than a year earlier. Employers are paying more as well as hiring more, which is relevant if you are building a relocation budget around expected take-home pay.
How to apply these findings to your move
Taken as a whole, the figures show a labour market with a defined pattern. Healthcare, public administration, education and construction are moving ahead. Canterbury and Waikato are growing faster than most of the country. Women and older workers are recording particularly strong gains. Meanwhile, professional and technical services, Northland and workers in their early thirties are facing a harder market.
Stats NZ notes that these figures stay provisional for three months while payday filing data is received, so treat them as a strong early indicator, not a final result. Even so, for anyone researching New Zealand jobs for Pakistani workers or applicants from elsewhere, they offer a practical starting point for choosing the industry and region that give you the best chance of finding work quickly. Prepare an English CV that matches the growing industries, and confirm any visa requirements before you apply.
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