November saw an encouraging increase in filled jobs, the highest rate since October 2023, according to industry data.
Filled job numbers rose by a relatively strong 0.3 percent in November from October. Filled job growth remains volatile, with a 0.1 percent increase in September followed by a 0.1 percent decrease in October. This series tends to be revised lower in future releases, so there is a chance that November’s strong increase will be revised to a weaker increase (all figures seasonally adjusted).
All three broad sectors recorded an increase in employment in November, led by primary industries, which rose 0.8 percent from October to November, followed by more marginal increases of 0.2 percent for service industries and 0.1 percent for goods-producing industries (seasonally adjusted). Although marginal, the increase in goods-producing industry jobs is the sector’s strongest increase since 2023. Jobs in the sector are still down 2.5 percent from November 2024.
Beyond the primary industries, the only noteworthy growth was in public administration (up 2.1 percent pa from November 2024 to November 2025), arts and recreation (2.1 percent pa), and health care (1.8 percent pa).
The South Island retains its edge in the economic recovery, with a 0.5 percent pa increase in filled jobs in the South, and a 0.6 percent pa decline in the North Island. Canterbury (0.7 percent pa), Otago (0.7 percent pa) and West Coast (0.5 percent pa) were the fastest growing southern regions, followed by Bay of Plenty (0.5 percent pa) and Waikato (0.3 percent pa) in the North.
The 0.3 percent increase in filled jobs in November is an encouraging sign, representing the strongest filled job growth since October 2023, even though there’s a good chance it will be revised down slightly. With a mix of positive and negative changes over the past four months, Infometrics said it could conclude that the decline in employment has been halted, though it’s too early to state that an economy-wide recovery of employment is underway. “Pockets of the economy are experiencing a clear recovery, such as the South Island, Waikato-Bay of Plenty, and primary industries more broadly. Beyond these hotspots, many areas are still hurting,” said Nick Brunsdon, Infometrics analyst.
“For example, Wellington Region filled jobs are down 1.5 percent pa, and construction industry jobs nationally are down 3.6 percent pa.”
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