The jobs outlook in New Zealand, including for those seeking to move to the country for a new life or dream job, is improving with a record number of people in employment.
Employment has reached 2.5 million for the first time with the latest Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS) showing a 0.8% increase in employment over the past three months, equating to 19,000 additional people now in jobs.
Overall the figures from the Department of Employment show that 137,000 jobs have been created in the past 12 months, while the labour force participation rate has increased 0.4% to an all-time high of 70.5%.
People working in New Zealand are also benefitting from higher wages. Overall the official figures show that wages also grew by 1.6% over the year, taking the average annual wage to $58,700.
‘The Government’s comprehensive economic plan is working with record job creation and higher wages to help people get ahead. Unprecedented levels of participation and robust job growth show that the New Zealand economy is continuing to grow,’ said Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Paul Goldsmith.
Jobs are growing in the construction, retail, trade and accommodation sectors, industries that employ skilled workers from overseas and also young people on holiday visas as well as students. Some 60,000 more have been employed in these industries in the last 12 months.
‘The Government is continuing to focus on delivering more jobs, higher wages, and more opportunities for all,’ Goldsmith added.
The positive economic and employment outlook is set to attract more people to the country, particularly those seeking to set up their own business. The election of Donald Trump is also having an effect, according to Immigration New Zealand.
There has been an increase in the number of visas being issued to Americans, mostly work visas and permanent resident visas. ‘We have had a pretty active strategy of identifying investors out of America over the past few years,’ said an immigration spokesman.
‘It's a combination of our marketing effort, and a bit of global uncertainty that means New Zealand is a pretty attractive place,’ the spokesman added.
Employment has reached 2.5 million for the first time with the latest Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS) showing a 0.8% increase in employment over the past three months, equating to 19,000 additional people now in jobs.
People working in New Zealand are also benefitting from higher wages. Overall the official figures show that wages also grew by 1.6% over the year, taking the average annual wage to $58,700.
‘The Government’s comprehensive economic plan is working with record job creation and higher wages to help people get ahead. Unprecedented levels of participation and robust job growth show that the New Zealand economy is continuing to grow,’ said Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Paul Goldsmith.
Jobs are growing in the construction, retail, trade and accommodation sectors, industries that employ skilled workers from overseas and also young people on holiday visas as well as students. Some 60,000 more have been employed in these industries in the last 12 months.
‘The Government is continuing to focus on delivering more jobs, higher wages, and more opportunities for all,’ Goldsmith added.
The positive economic and employment outlook is set to attract more people to the country, particularly those seeking to set up their own business. The election of Donald Trump is also having an effect, according to Immigration New Zealand.
There has been an increase in the number of visas being issued to Americans, mostly work visas and permanent resident visas. ‘We have had a pretty active strategy of identifying investors out of America over the past few years,’ said an immigration spokesman.
‘It's a combination of our marketing effort, and a bit of global uncertainty that means New Zealand is a pretty attractive place,’ the spokesman added.
