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Job Vacancy Monitoring Programme Reports - Archive

Job Vacancy Monitor - April 2007

This section contains archived information that has been retained for reference purposes. To view current reports, please go to the Labour Market Information section.

Introduction
This report presents data from the Job Vacancy Monitor (JVM) – a monthly analysis of job advertisements published in selected editions of 25 regional newspapers and on selected IT websites. It enables us to monitor the number of advertised vacancies in each occupational category over time. Analysis of the JVM suggests that it is an indicator of change in labour market tightness, or change in the degree of difficulty of recruiting staff. An increase in vacancies typically indicates increasing difficulty in recruiting staff and vice versa.

The purpose of this report is to ensure regular data on vacancy trends are available to technical users. Interpretation of job vacancy trends is presented in more detail on a quarterly basis in the Department’s Skills in the Labour Market report1 .

Total Job Vacancies2

There were 7,125 advertised job vacancies measured in April 2007: 2% fewer than in the same period 12 months earlier (see Figure 1)3. The JVM series has recorded an annual fall in vacancies in every month since October 2005. The size of the fall has, however, been reducing in recent months after reaching -13% in September 2006. Despite the on-going fall in vacancies, there were still 28% more advertised vacancies in April 2007 than in April 2003.

Figure 1: Total Number of vacancies

Total number of vacancies. Click for a larger version.
Data table for Fig 1

Figure 2: Total number of vacancies, by skill level

Total number of vacancies, by skill level. Click for a larger version.
Data table for Fig 2

The decline in advertised vacancies measured by the JVM since October 2005 is interpreted as an easing of the labour market, or in other words, an improvement in recruiting conditions for employers. Notwithstanding this decline in newspaper advertising, there has been an expansion of positions being advertised via other media. For this reason, the Department of Labour is currently investigating the impact of both internet and community newspaper advertising on the JVM. An experimental series which will incorporate both internet and newspaper vacancies is being scoped.

Table 1: Total monthly job vacancies, by occupation, April 2007
No. of vacancies Apr 2003* No. of vacancies Apr 2004* No. of vacancies Apr 2005* No. of vacancies Apr 2006* No. of vacancies Apr 2007* % change 03-07 % change 06-07 Share of vacancies Apr 2007
Legislators, Administrators & Managers 362 398 487 475 476 31% 0% 7%
Professionals 619 661 790 759 717 16% -6% 10%
Science, Architecture & Engineering 155 152 151 124 164 6% 32% 2%
Health 124 117 173 169 148 19% -13% 2%
Teaching 151 162 183 157 165 9% 5% 2%
Accountants & Auditors 58 72 111 106 74 27% -30% 1%
Business & Legal 78 101 108 121 110 41% -9% 2%
Other Professionals 53 58 65 81 56 6% -30% 1%
Highly Skilled subtotal 982 1059 1277 1234 1193 21% -3% 17%
Technicians & Associate Professionals 678 893 1010 898 741 9% -17% 10%
Physical Science & Engineering 97 121 136 129 127 30% -2% 2%
Health 73 61 49 54 56 -24% 4% 1%
Finance & Sales 273 396 499 379 272 0% -28% 4%
Social Work 39 47 66 53 44 13% -18% 1%
Other Technicians & Associate Professionals 196 267 261 283 243 24% -14% 3%
Trades 723 881 912 661 691 -4% 4% 10%
Building 272 358 308 243 282 4% 16% 4%
Electrical & Electronics 85 97 113 78 74 -13% -5% 1%
Metal & Machinery 240 278 308 214 211 -12% -2% 3%
Printing 25 31 40 29 13 -46% -55% 0%
Food 34 33 29 28 27 -20% -4% 0%
Furniture & Textiles 34 38 38 25 32 -5% 29% 0%
Other Trades 33 48 75 43 51 56% 20% 1%
Skilled subtotal 1401 1774 1922 1559 1432 2% -8% 20%
Clerks 878 1039 1121 1043 1008 15% -3% 14%
Service & Sales 1099 1407 1547 1585 1488 35% -6% 21%
Restaurant Services 379 514 618 568 575 52% 1% 8%
Hairdressers & Beauty Therapists 80 87 112 101 100 25% -2% 1%
Salespersons & Demonstrators 413 492 489 535 432 5% -19% 6%
Other Service & Sales 227 314 329 380 382 68% 0% 5%
Agriculture & Fishery Workers 364 446 566 549 492 35% -10% 7%
Plant & Machine Operators & Assemblers 427 610 828 630 730 71% 16% 10%
Operators & Assemblers 180 256 363 270 298 65% 10% 4%
Drivers & Mobile Machinery Operators 207 297 406 306 371 79% 21% 5%
Building 39 57 58 53 61 55% 14% 1%
Elementary Workers 343 500 646 576 673 96% 17% 9%
Semi-skilled/elementary subtotal 3110 4002 4707 4383 4391 41% 0% 62%
Not classifiable 62 182 74 86 109 76% 28% 2%
Total 5555 7017 7980 7262 7125 28% -2% 100%

Source: Department of Labour. * = Figures shown are three-month averages to April of each year.

Job Vacancy Monitoring Programme Reports - Archive

The total number of highly skilled job vacancies4 declined by 3% to 1,193 in the year to April 2007 (see Figure 2). Table 1 shows that vacancies for legislators, administrators and managers remained at the same level as a year ago. However, vacancies for professionals declined by 6% with quite different trends being seen among the sub-groups within this category. Science, architecture and engineering professionals (32%) and teaching professionals (5%) both recorded increases in vacancies, whereas accountants and auditors (-30%), ‘other professionals’ (-30%), health professionals (-13%) and business and legal (-9%) all recorded declines in vacancies.

The total number of skilled job vacancies5 decreased by 8% to 1,432 in April 2007 compared to the level 12 months earlier. April 2005 was the last time job vacancies at this skill level showed growth. Technicians and associate professionals experienced a 17% fall in vacancies in April 2007. Health associate professionals (4%) was the only sub-group showing growth in vacancies in this category. All other sub-groups recorded declines, with the biggest being for finance and sales (-28%) and social work (-18%). Vacancies for trade workers increased by 4% between April 2006 and April 2007. Within this category, furniture and textiles (29%) ‘other trades’ (20%) and building (16%) recorded increases in vacancies. In contrast, printing (-55%), electrical & electronics (-5%), food (‑4%) and metal and machinery (-2%) all recorded declines in vacancies.

The total number of semi-skilled/elementary vacancies6 remained at the same level as a year ago. This was the first time since September 2005 that vacancies in this category had not declined. Within this category, elementery workers (17%) and plant and machine operators and assemblers (16%) both recorded growth, while agriculture and fishery workers (-10%), service and sales (-6%) and clerks (‑3%) showed decreases in vacancies.

Figure 3: Change in vacancies, by region, April 2007

Change of vacancies, by region. Click for a larger version.
Data table for Fig 3

The regions experiencing the greatest vacancy growth in April 2007 compared to 12 months earlier were: Nelson/Tasman (43%), Southland (21%), and Taranaki (15%). The regions showing the largest declines in vacancies were: Auckland (-20%), Gisborne (-16%) and Manawatu/Wanganui (-14%).

Information Technology (IT) Vacancies

The number of IT vacancies measured 1,254 in April 2007. There were 23% more IT vacancies in April 2007 than in the same month in 2006 (see Figure 4). National growth in IT vacancies has slowed off a peak of just under 100% in February 2005. Figure 5 shows that IT vacancy growth in April 2007 was strongest in Christchurch (71%) with Auckland and Wellington recording 21% and 19% growth respectively.

Figure 4: Number of IT vacancies

Number of IT vacancies. Click for larger version.
Data table for Fig 4

Figure 5: Number of IT vacancies, by region

Number of IT vacancies, by region. Click for larger version.
Data table for Fig 5

High Vacancy and Growth Occupations

Below is a list of occupations which have the highest number of vacancies (high vacancy occupations), and those occupations which have shown the highest growth in advertised vacancies in terms of percentage change (top percentage growth occupations) and numerical change (top numeric growth occupations) in New Zealand as well as in each region.

The number of vacancies is measured as the total number of vacancies advertised in the 12 months to April 2007. The growth in vacancies compares the number of advertised vacancies in the 12 months to April 2007 with the previous 12 months. Percentage growth figures are only included if at least 24 vacancies occurred in the year to April 2006. Numeric growth figures are only included if vacancy growth in the year to April 2007 measured at least 10.


New Zealand High Vacancy and Growth Occupations - All Vacancies
Table 2: New Zealand: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations Growth (%) Top Numeric Growth Occupations Growth
1 Sales Assistant 4331 Quantity Surveyor 159% Quantity Surveyor 176
2 Information Clerk / Receptionist 2094 Pumping-Station Operator 146% Packer 145
3 General Clerk 2057 Structural Engineer 142% Fruit Grower, Worker 133
4 Care Giver 1978 Other Mechanical Engineer 95% Kitchenhand 128
5 Cleaner 1841 Roading Engineer 92% Restaurant or Tavern Manager 117
6 Chef 1576 Public Health and District Nurse 91% Machine Tool Operator 98
7 Waiter 1570 Construction Manager 86% Construction Manager 97
8 Sales Representative 1560 Radio and Television Repairer 71% Plumber 83
9 General Labourer 1545 Housekeeper (Not Private) 57% Logger 69
10 Secretary 1450 Other Health Associate Professional 56% Courier and Deliverer 69
11 Registered Nurse 1407 Logger 55% Information Clerk and Other Receptionist 65
12 Carpenter and/or Joiner 1316 Restaurant or Tavern Manager 54% Sales and/or Marketing Manager 64
13 Catering Counter Assistant 1189 Veterinary Assistant 50% Housekeeper (Not Private) 62
14 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 1178 Sheep Farmer, Sheep Farm Worker 50% Waiter 56
15 Administration Manager 982 Machine Tool Operator 44% Fork-Lift Operator 56
16 Accounts Clerk 959 Teacher ESOL 43% Other Mechanical Engineer 53
17 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 945 Plumber 43% Mechanical Engineering Technician 45
18 Accountant 903 Electric and Electronic Equipment Assembler 39% Farm Machinery Operator/Contractor 44
19 Light Truck or Van Driver 870 Tool and/or Die Maker 39% Structural Engineer 44
20 Packer 870 Deck Rating 38% Secondary School Teacher 41
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 3: New Zealand: Total vacancies and growth in highly skilled occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Registered Nurse 1407 Structural Engineer 142% Restaurant or Tavern Manager 117
2 Administration Manager 982 Other Mechanical Engineer 95% Construction Manager 97
3 Accountant 903 Roading Engineer 92% Sales and/or Marketing Manager 64
4 Retail Manager 760 Public Health and District Nurse 91% Other Mechanical Engineer 53
5 Sales and/or Marketing Manager 637 Construction Manager 86% Structural Engineer 44
6 Early Childhood Teacher 562 Restaurant or Tavern Manager 54% Secondary School Teacher 41
7 University Higher Education Lecturer 558 Teacher - ESOL 43% Roading Engineer 34
8 Policy Analyst 353 Surveyor 35% Senior Education Manager 33
9 Restaurant or Tavern Manager 335 Librarian 34% Engineering Technical Manager 32
10 Finance Manager 320 Chief Executive and/or Managing Director 34% Counsellor 32
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 4: New Zealand: Total vacancies and growth in skilled occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Representative 1560 Quantity Surveyor 159% Quantity Surveyor 176
2 Carpenter and/or Joiner 1316 Radio and Television Repairer 71% Plumber 83
3 Real Estate Agent/Property Consultant 625 Other Health Associate Professional 56% Mechanical Engineering Technician 45
4 Electrician 612 Veterinary Assistant 50% Plasterer 37
5 Technical Representative 592 Plumber 43% Other Health Associate Professional 32
6 Draughting Technician 582 Tool and/or Die Maker 39% Painter, Decorator and/or Paperhanger 31
7 Painter, Decorator and/or Paperhanger 568 Medical Laboratory Technician 28% Safety Inspector 27
8 Builder (Including Contractor) 559 Electrical Fitter 27% Probation Worker 27
9 Social Worker 553 Mechanical Engineering Technician 26% Avionics Technician 25
10 Machinery Mechanic 484 Safety Inspector 24% Clerk of Works 22
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 5: New Zealand: Total vacancies and growth in semi-skilled/elementary occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 4331 Pumping-Station Operator 146% Packer 145
2 Information Clerk/Other Receptionist 2094 Housekeeper (Not Private) 57% Fruit Grower, Worker 133
3 General Clerk 2057 Logger 55% Kitchenhand 128
4 Care Giver 1978 Sheep Farmer, Sheep Farm Worker 50% Machine Tool Operator 98
5 Cleaner 1841 Machine Tool Operator 44% Logger 69
6 Chef 1576 Electric and Electronic Equipment Assembler 39% Courier and Deliverer 69
7 Waiter 1570 Deck Rating 38% Information Clerk and Other Receptionist 65
8 General Labourer 1545 Driller 35% Housekeeper (Not Private) 62
9 Secretary 1450 Farm Machinery Operator/ Contractor 32% Waiter 56
10 Catering Counter Assistant 1189 Milk and Other Dairy Products Maker 32% Fork-Lift Operator 56
Source: Department of Labour.

Regional High Vacancy and Growth Occupations

Table 6: Auckland: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 1131 Financial Adviser 74% Quantity Surveyor 117
2 Information Clerk / Receptionist 768 Other Civil Engineer 73% Financial Adviser 48
3 Sales Representative 729 Construction Manager 70% Sales and/or Marketing Manager 42
4 Secretary 509 Market Research Analyst 63% Construction Manager 28
5 General Clerk 492 Human Resources Manager 56% Information Clerk and Other Receptionist 25
6 Chef 480 Care Giver 44% Other Civil Engineer 22
7 Accountant 404 General Manager 31% Chef 21
8 Dispatch and Receiving Clerk 348 Fork-Lift Operator 29% Care Giver 20
9 Waiter 325 Senior Education Manager 26% Market Research Analyst 19
10 Accounts Clerk 300 Drainlayer 25% Drainlayer 15
11 Sales and/or Marketing Manager 274 Purchasing Agent 20% Human Resources Manager 14
12 Retail Manager 255 Supply and Distribution Manager 19% University and Higher Education Lecturer 14
13 Light Truck or Van Driver 252 Other Electronics Engineering Technician 18% Fork-Lift Operator 13
14 Catering Counter Assistant 245 Sales and/or Marketing Manager 18% Structural Engineer 13
15 Administration Manager 244 Human Resources Officer 17% Other Mechanical Engineer 13
16 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 220 Plumber 16% Human Resources Officer 13
17 Carpenter and/or Joiner 216 University and Higher Education Lecturer 13% Fire Alarm Technician 11
18 Insurance Representative 199 Wholesale and Warehouse Manager 13% General Manager 11
19 Telephone Switchboard Operator 196 Cook 11% Crane Operator 10
20 Draughting Technician 196 Tool and/or Die Maker 10% Other Health Associate Professional 10
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 7: Bay of Plenty: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Fruit Grower, Worker 446 Health Assistant 96% Fruit Grower, Worker 81
2 Sales Assistant 318 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 58% Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 37
3 Cleaner 249 Painter, Decorator and/or Paperhanger 51% Cleaner 36
4 Care Giver 212 University and Higher Education Lecturer 48% Chef 35
5 General Clerk 192 Loader and/or Checker 39% Catering Counter Assistant 35
6 Packer 155 Catering Counter Assistant 38% Waiter 29
7 General Labourer 142 Courier and Deliverer 38% Sales Assistant 29
8 Waiter 132 Chef 37% Courier and Deliverer 29
9 Chef 130 Machinery Mechanic 34% Loader and/or Checker 29
10 Catering Counter Assistant 127 Plumber 32% Health Assistant 23
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 8: Canterbury: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 805 Telephone Switchboard Operator 220% Telephone Switchboard Operator 123
2 General Labourer 545 Machine Tool Operator 163% Machine Tool Operator 114
3 Cleaner 486 Electric and Electronic Equipment Assembler 160% General Labourer 85
4 Care Giver 481 Restaurant or Tavern Manager 158% Cleaner 71
5 Registered Nurse 391 Concrete Worker 84% Secretary 60
6 Carpenter and/or Joiner 343 Sewing Machinist 62% Restaurant or Tavern Manager 60
7 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 309 Forecourt Attendant 60% Carpenter and/or Joiner 55
8 General Clerk 297 Taxi Driver 57% Loader and/or Checker 49
9 Information Clerk and Other Receptionist 281 Builder (Including Contractor) 53% Care Giver 42
10 Chef 258 Secretary 51% Real Estate Agent/Property Consultant 41
11 Packer 254 Sawmill Labourer 50% Electric/ Electronic Equipment Assembler 40
12 Waiter 253 Crop and Livestock Farmer, Worker 47% Kitchenhand 39
13 Catering Counter Assistant 251 Farm Machinery Operator/ Contractor 46% Fitter and Turner 38
14 Builder's Labourer 211 Nurse Aide 43% Mechanical Engineering Technician 33
15 Sales Representative 209 Fitter and Turner 40% Concrete Worker 32
16 Paper Products Machine Operator 187 Loader and/or Checker 39% Builder (Including Contractor) 30
17 Machine Tool Operator 184 Refuse Collector 36% Construction Manager 29
18 Telephone Switchboard Operator 179 Finance Manager 33% Hairdresser 28
19 Kitchenhand 179 Real Estate Agent/Property Consultant 32% Sewing Machinist 28
20 Secretary 178 Senior Education Manager 30% Paper Products Machine Operator 27
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 9: Gisborne: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 45     Care Giver 12
2 Forest Hand 34     General Clerk 11
3 General Clerk 32     Catering Counter Assistant 11
4 Care Giver 28        
5 Fruit Grower, Worker 20        
6 Catering Counter Assistant 17        
7 Information Clerk and Other Receptionist 14        
8 Social Worker 14        
9 Chef 13        
10 Kitchenhand 12        
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 10: Hawke's Bay: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months March 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 151 Packer 88% Registered Nurse 38
2 Fruit Grower, Worker 149 Registered Nurse 81% Real Estate Agent/Property Consultant 29
3 Care Giver 112 Real Estate Agent/Property Consultant 66% Packer 28
4 Registered Nurse 85 Waiter 55% Care Giver 26
5 Real Estate Agent/Property Consultant 73 Care Giver 30% Waiter 23
6 Cleaner 71 Fork-Lift Operator 30% Sports Coach or Trainer 20
7 General Clerk 66 Farm Machinery Operator/ Contractor 24% Fruit Grower, Worker 19
8 Waiter 65 Secretary 16% Technical Representative 19
9 Packer 60 Fruit Grower, Worker 15% Kitchenhand 18
10 Carpenter and/or Joiner 53     Chef 16
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 11: Manawatu-Wanganui: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 170 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 50% Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 19
2 Care Giver 140 Courier and Deliverer 43% Telephone Switchboard Operator 17
3 General Clerk 96 Chef 33% Hairdresser 17
4 Cleaner 88     Courier and Deliverer 17
5 Registered Nurse 72     Fork-Lift Operator 14
6 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 57     Packer 14
7 Courier and Deliverer 57     Chef 13
8 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 55     Electrician 11
9 Chef 52        
10 Carpenter and/or Joiner 51        
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 12: Marlborough: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Grape Grower and/or Wine Maker, Worker 69     Carpenter and/or Joiner 19
2 Waiter 34     Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 15
3 Cleaner 34     Registered Nurse 13
4 Sales Assistant 31     Secretary 12
5 Registered Nurse 30     Fruit Grower, Worker 11
6 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 27     General Labourer 11
7 Carpenter and/or Joiner 26        
8 Forest Hand 24        
9 General Clerk 23        
10 Secretary 22        
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 13: Nelson: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Care Giver 130 Waiter 133% Waiter 44
2 Sales Assistant 116 General Labourer 88% Builder's Labourer 27
3 Waiter 77 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 66% General Clerk 23
4 General Clerk 75 General Clerk 44% General Labourer 23
5 Cleaner 73 Forest Hand 19% Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 19
6 General Labourer 49 Carpenter and/or Joiner 18% Logger 18
7 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 48 Fruit Grower, Worker 13% Kitchenhand 16
8 Chef 46     Packer 15
9 Fruit Grower, Worker 45     Social Worker 14
10 Packer 38     Nurse Aide 13
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 14: Northland: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 132 Registered Nurse 58% Courier and Deliverer 36
2 Registered Nurse 76 Chef 54% Registered Nurse 28
3 General Clerk 68 Waiter 37% Fruit Grower, Worker 16
4 Care Giver 68 Cleaner 18% Technical Representative 15
5 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 64 General Clerk 13% Chef 13
6 Cleaner 59     Finance Clerk 11
7 Courier and Deliverer 51     Human Resources Clerk 10
8 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 42     Waiter 10
9 Chef 37     Physiotherapist 10
10 Waiter 37     Real Estate Agent/Property Consultant 10
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 15: Otago: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 252 Cook 83% Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 45
2 Care Giver 233 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 74% Waiter 33
3 General Clerk 138 Waiter 66% Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 29
4 General Labourer 125 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 62% Cook 25
5 Cleaner 114 Roading and/or Paving Machine Operator 33% Builder (Including Contractor) 24
6 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 106 Kitchenhand 26% Cleaner 23
7 Carpenter and/or Joiner 94 Cleaner 25% Packer 23
8 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 91 Catering Counter Assistant 24% Fork-Lift Operator 21
9 Waiter 83 Hairdresser 22% Machinery Mechanic 19
10 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 76 Security Officer 19% Logger 18
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 16: Southland: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 239 Cleaner 48% Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 24
2 Sales Assistant 95 Registered Nurse 13% Sampling Officer 13
3 Care Giver 57     Cleaner 12
4 General Clerk 45     Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 10
5 Registered Nurse 44     Sales Representative 10
6 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 42     Sales and/or Marketing Manager 10
7 Mixed Livestock Farmer/ Farm Worker 39        
8 Crop and Livestock Farmer, Worker 39        
9 Cleaner 37        
10 General Labourer 35        
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 17: Taranaki: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 124 Waiter 123% Waiter 37
2 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 98 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 44% Kitchenhand 23
3 Waiter 67 Primary School Teacher 32% Retail Manager 18
4 Care Giver 61 Catering Counter Assistant 23% Bartender 15
5 General Clerk 60 General Clerk 22% Sales Assistant 15
6 Registered Nurse 55 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 19% Driller 13
7 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 50 Courier and Deliverer 17% Survey Interviewer 12
8 Kitchenhand 45 Sales Assistant 14% Cattle Farmer, Cattle Farm Worker 12
9 Cleaner 42 Sales Representative 10% Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 12
10 Courier and Deliverer 42 Carpenter and/or Joiner 10% General Clerk 11
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 18: Tasman: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Cleaner 35     Packer 20
2 Sales Assistant 29     Cleaner 16
3 Packer 26     General Clerk 11
4 Fruit Grower, Worker 20     Waiter 11
5 General Clerk 16     Courier and Deliverer 11
6 Courier and Deliverer 16     Catering Counter Assistant 10
7 Catering Counter Assistant 14        
8 Waiter 11        
9 Registered Nurse 10        
10            
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 19: Waikato: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 398 Plasterer 112% Sales Assistant 72
2 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 226 Hairdresser 94% Hairdresser 34
3 General Clerk 182 Accountant 42% Plasterer 28
4 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 177 Sales and/or Marketing Manager 41% Accountant 26
5 Care Giver 132 Demonstrator 25% Linesperson 23
6 Cleaner 130 Catering Counter Assistant 23% Paper Products Machine Operator 18
7 Registered Nurse 125 Sales Assistant 22% Plumber 17
8 General Labourer 112 Kitchenhand 20% Catering Counter Assistant 15
9 Chef 106 Roofer 15% Prison Officer 15
10 Carpenter and/or Joiner 106 Technical Representative 15% Cabinet Maker 15
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 20: Wellington: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 504 Restaurant or Tavern Manager 68% Cleaner 62
2 Secretary 370 Information Technology Manager 63% Draughting Technician 47
3 Waiter 322 Sports Coach or Trainer 62% Secretary 42
4 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 315 Engineering Technical Manager 56% Demonstrator 32
5 General Clerk 263 Draughting Technician 48% Waiter 31
6 Policy Analyst 256 Demonstrator 39% Care Giver 28
7 Chef 255 Packer 38% Quantity Surveyor 28
8 Administration Manager 246 Cleaner 35% Fork-Lift Operator 24
9 Cleaner 241 Painter, Decorator and/or Paperhanger 32% Restaurant or Tavern Manager 23
10 Catering Counter Assistant 221 Barrister and Solicitor 26% Information Technology Manager 22
11 Care Giver 216 Senior Education Manager 23% Packer 21
12 General Labourer 195 Primary School Teacher 23% Painter, Decorator and/or Paperhanger 21
13 Carpenter and/or Joiner 187 Builder (Including Contractor) 21% Business Services Representative 20
14 Registered Nurse 179 Early Childhood Teacher 21% Chief Executive and/or Managing Director 20
15 Sales Representative 174 Care Giver 15% Housekeeper (Not Private) 19
16 Draughting Technician 145 Public Relations Officer 13% Carpenter and/or Joiner 18
17 Child Care Worker 138 Electrician 13% Engineering Technical Manager 18
18 Kitchenhand 135 Secretary 13% Plumber 17
19 Builder's Labourer 131 Secondary School Teacher 12% Sports Coach or Trainer 16
20 Accounts Clerk 126 Waiter 11% Structural Engineer 16
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 21: West Coast: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to April 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Waiter 35     Waiter 23
2 Sales Assistant 30     Kitchenhand 21
3 Machinery Mechanic 30     Machinery Mechanic 14
4 Kitchenhand 29     Care Giver 12
5 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 28        
6 Care Giver 23        
7 Chef 20        
8 Cleaner 20        
9 Cook 18        
10 Registered Nurse 17        
Source: Department of Labour.

Job Vacancy Monitoring Programme Reports - Archive

Explanatory notes

The monthly total vacancy counts are each based on analysis of job advertisements from a single edition of 25 major newspapers around New Zealand . The analysis of job ads occurs once per month on the main advertising day for each newspaper (usually a Saturday). Duplicate ads are removed from the counts. The total vacancy counts are, therefore, effectively a sample of at most a quarter of all advertisements placed in newspapers each month around the country.

All job advertisements are coded to detailed occupational categories using the New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations 1999 (Statistics New Zealand). The data published are trend data based on a 3-month moving average. Data are not seasonally adjusted.

The IT vacancy counts are based on a weekly count of IT positions advertised on two websites: Seek IT and Trademe Jobs. The latter website was included as a replacement for Jobstuff from November 2006 when Jobstuff ads were incorporated into Trademe. Data are collected each Friday and include only those vacancies lodged within the seven days prior to counting. A monthly estimate of IT job advertisements is calculated by averaging weekly data. IT positions may be advertised on more than one site, so movements may exaggerate actual changes in demand and supply. Data are not seasonally adjusted. Changes were made to the Jobstuff website in July 2005 which impacted on the number of vacancies advertised on this site7 . The IT vacancy count was adjusted in September 2005 to reflect this impact. Further details can be obtained on request from the Department of Labour.

Endnotes

1 See http://www.dol.govt.nz/publications/lmr/lmr-Skills.asp.

2 The ‘total’ number of advertised job vacancies relates to the total number appearing in the JVM sample, rather than the total number of advertisements placed in all editions of all newspapers. See the explanatory notes for further details.

3 The job vacancy counts are based on a three month moving average.

4 The ‘Highly Skilled’ category includes: managerial and professional occupations.

5 The ‘Skilled’ category includes: technicians & associate professionals, and trade occupations.

6 The ‘Semi-Skilled/Elementary’ category includes: clerical, agriculture and fishery, services and sales, operator/assembler, and elementary occupations.

7 Fairfax started routinely including most advertisements appearing in the newspapers they owned on Jobstuff. This more than doubled the number of job vacancies appearing on the job board.

More information

Further data, methodological notes, and conceptual explanations can be obtained from the Department of Labour website at www.dol.govt.nz/jvm/

Information on the New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations 1999 can be found on the Statistics New Zealand website: www.stats.govt.nz.

Contact person:

Philip Spier
Work Directions
Department of Labour
PO Box 3705
Wellington
New Zealand
ph (04) 915-4063
e-mail philip.spier@dol.govt.nz

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