Our take on the latest Employment indicators (Fri 28 May 2021)
Filled jobs up 0.3% (seasonally adjusted) in April 2021
Broad-based regional strength
Tourism-related industries recover more ground
The key numbers...
- Monthly filled jobs rose further in April, increasing 0.3% (seasonally adjusted) from March.
- Construction, healthcare, and public sector employment growth remain the key drivers of higher job numbers.
- Earnings growth remains solid, with total earnings up 9.7%pa over the three months to April.
- Filled jobs growth remains broad-based across New Zealand, with Northland and Waikato job numbers showing the strongest growth.
Job numbers rise further
Filled jobs, seasonally adjusted
...and our reaction
- Continued improvements in filled job numbers in April 2021 underscores the momentum in New Zealand’s economic recovery.
- Annual comparisons in April make it difficult to analyse job trends, with April 2020 figures lowered by business decisions at the early stages of the pandemic.
- Tourism-related industries are continuing to recover, with accommodation and food services and retail jobs on the right path. Although tourism-related jobs aren’t yet above pre-pandemic levels, they have regained ground in recent months.
- Improved labour market indicators, including filled jobs and stronger job ad growth, mean skills shortages will continue to bite in specific sectors.
Latest updates
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0.1% Filled jobs rose in June 2026 (sa)0.6%pa Filled jobs were up from June 20251.5%pa South Island filled jobs incre from June 2025Premium
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Mon 29 Jun 2026
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0.3% Filled jobs in May (sa)
0.1% Filled jobs in April (sa)0.7% Filled jobs from May 2025Employment indicators
Healthcare leads job growth
Thu 28 May 2026
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0.2% Filled jobs in April (sa)0.5% Filled jobs from April 20255,527 Healthcare jobs over the year to AprilEmployment indicators
Let’s hear it for the South
Tue 28 Apr 2026
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0.3% Filled jobs in March (sa)0.2% Filled jobs in February (sa)1.5%pa South Island jobs in March