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Job Vacancy Monitoring Programme Reports - Archive

Job Vacancy Monitor - February 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 6,436 advertised job vacancies measured in February 2007: 6% 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, averaging -8% through 2006. There were still, however, 17% more advertised vacancies in February 2007 than in February 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 is interpreted as an easing of the labour market, or in other words, an improvement in recruiting conditions for employers. This trend has also been measured by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research’s Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion (QSBO), which has shown a rapid decline in skill shortages over the past two years. The close correlation between the JVM and the skill shortage indicators from the QSBO indicates that the JVM, and hence newspaper advertising, remains a reliable barometer of labour market conditions. This relationship is discussed in more detail in Skills in the Labour Market.

Notwithstanding the 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, February 2007
No. of vacancies Feb 2003* No. of vacancies Feb 2004* No. of vacancies Feb 2005* No. of vacancies Feb 2006* No. of vacancies Feb 2007* % change 03-07 % change 06-07 Share of vacancies Feb 2007
Legislators, Administrators & Managers 394 396 483 442 404 2% -9% 6%
Professionals 701 704 835 763 711 2% -7% 11%
Science, Architecture & Engineering 155 132 135 121 118 -24% -2% 2%
Health 135 132 220 170 158 17% -7% 2%
Teaching 207 202 217 213 215 4% 1% 3%
Accountants & Auditors 77 88 106 75 64 -17% -15% 1%
Business & Legal 78 94 108 108 103 33% -4% 2%
Other Professionals 48 56 50 76 53 10% -30% 1%
Highly Skilled subtotal 1095 1100 1318 1205 1115 2% -7% 17%
Technicians & Associate Professionals 700 907 946 904 708 1% -22% 11%
Physical Science & Engineering 101 135 114 113 98 -3% -14% 2%
Health 62 72 46 57 50 -20% -12% 1%
Finance & Sales 298 399 485 366 250 -16% -32% 4%
Social Work 44 46 62 65 53 20% -18% 1%
Other Technicians & Associate Professionals 194 256 239 302 256 32% -15% 4%
Trades 731 806 877 703 650 -11% -7% 10%
Building 251 302 321 262 276 10% 5% 4%
Electrical & Electronics 76 96 98 74 72 -6% -3% 1%
Metal & Machinery 259 252 297 226 183 -29% -19% 3%
Printing 29 37 29 29 15 -47% -47% 0%
Food 40 29 34 33 26 -36% -21% 0%
Furniture & Textiles 32 36 39 29 28 -14% -3% 0%
Other Trades 45 55 59 51 51 14% 0% 1%
Skilled subtotal 1431 1713 1822 1607 1358 -5% -15% 21%
Clerks 882 990 1049 962 890 1% -7% 14%
Service & Sales 963 1248 1489 1502 1443 50% -4% 22%
Restaurant Services 317 465 633 588 616 94% 5% 10%
Hairdressers & Beauty Therapists 64 80 87 102 78 22% -24% 1%
Salespersons & Demonstrators 365 438 455 476 421 15% -12% 7%
Other Service & Sales 217 265 314 336 328 51% -2% 5%
Agriculture & Fishery Workers 315 367 414 369 312 -1% -15% 5%
Plant & Machine Operators & Assemblers 421 593 750 615 641 52% 4% 10%
Operators & Assemblers 162 234 290 261 281 74% 8% 4%
Drivers & Mobile Machinery Operators 226 316 405 306 307 36% 0% 5%
Building 33 44 55 47 53 61% 11% 1%
Elementary Workers 329 493 540 544 579 76% 6% 9%
Semi-skilled/elementary subtotal 2910 3691 4241 3992 3865 33% -3% 60%
Not classifiable 64 148 111 72 97 53% 35% 2%
Total 5499 6652 7493 6876 6436 17% -6% 100%

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

The total number of highly skilled job vacancies4 declined by 7% to 1,115 in the year to February 2007 (see Figure 2). Table 1 shows that vacancies for legislators, administrators and managers declined by 9% compared to the level a year ago. Similarly, vacancies for professionals declined by 7%. Within this category, teaching professionals recorded a marginal 1% increase in advertised vacancies, whereas all other sub-groups recorded declines in vacancies: ‘other professionals’ (‑30%), accountants and auditors (-15%), health (-7%), business and legal (-4%); and science, architecture and engineering professionals (-2%).

The total number of skilled job vacancies5 decreased by 15% to 1,358 in February 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 22% fall in vacancies in February 2007. All sub groups within this category recorded declines – the biggest being for finance and sales (-32%) and social work (-18%). Overall, vacancies for trade workers declined by 7% between February 2006 and 2007. Within this category, building trades recording a 5% increase, whereas printing trades and food trades both recorded declines of over 20%.

The total number of semi-skilled/elementary vacancies6 decreased by 3% to 3,865 in February 2007 compared to the level 12 months earlier. A decline in such vacancies has been recorded every month since October 2005. In this category, agriculture and fishery workers (-15%), clerks (-7%) and service and sales (-4%) recorded falls in vacancies. In contrast, elementery workers (6%) and plant and machine operators and assemblers (4%) recorded growth in vacancies.

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

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

The regions experiencing the highest vacancy growth in February 2007 compared to 12 months earlier were: Nelson/Tasman (22%), Canterbury (14%) and Hawke’s Bay (10%). The regions showing the largest declines in vacancies were: Marlborough (-27%), Auckland (-24%), and Gisborne (-18%).

Information Technology (IT) Vacancies

The number of IT vacancies measured 1,211 in February 2007. There were 11% more IT vacancies in February 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 February 2007 was strongest in Christchurch (189%), with Wellington and Auckland recording 69% and 20% 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 February 2007. The growth in vacancies compares the number of advertised vacancies in the 12 months to February 2007 with the previous 12 months. Percentage growth figures are only included if at least 24 vacancies occurred in the year to February 2006. Numeric growth figures are only included if vacancy growth in the year to February 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 February 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations Growth (%) Top Numeric Growth Occupations Growth
1 Sales Assistant 4559 Roading Engineer 152% Fruit Grower, Worker 229
2 General Clerk 2164 Horse Trainer, Groom or Stable Hand 144% Kitchenhand 162
3 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 1979 Quantity Surveyor 140% Quantity Surveyor 154
4 Care Giver 1957 Weighing and Tally Clerk 130% Restaurant or Tavern Manager 132
5 Cleaner 1819 Pumping-Station Operator 104% Care Giver 93
6 Sales Representative 1597 Public Health and District Nurse 100% Construction Manager 86
7 Chef 1550 Construction Manager 83% Courier and Deliverer 75
8 Waiter 1542 Restaurant or Tavern Manager 70% Health Assistant 70
9 General Labourer 1500 Other Health Associate Professional 70% Crop and Livestock Farmer, Worker 68
10 Secretary 1462 Structural Engineer 68% Housekeeper (Not Private) 63
11 Registered Nurse 1427 Housekeeper (Not Private) 62% Horse Trainer, Groom or Stable Hand 62
12 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 1269 Veterinary Assistant 59% Weighing and Tally Clerk 56
13 Carpenter and/or Joiner 1233 Health Assistant 57% Packer 53
14 Catering Counter Assistant 1177 Market Gardener and Related Worker 55% Painter, Decorator and/or Paperhanger 53
15 Accounts Clerk 999 Driller 51% Secondary School Teacher 53
16 Administration Manager 960 Psychologist 47% Plumber 49
17 Accountant 959 Tour and Travel Guide 47% Mechanical Engineering Technician 48
18 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 859 Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages 46% Demonstrator (Sales) 46
19 Kitchenhand 854 Fruit Grower, Worker 39% Sales and/or Marketing Manager 41
20 Light Truck or Van Driver 816 Legal Executive 37% Roading Engineer 41
Source: Department of Labour.

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

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Registered Nurse 1427 Roading Engineer 152% Restaurant or Tavern Manager 132
2 Administration Manager 960 Public Health and District Nurse 100% Construction Manager 86
3 Accountant 959 Construction Manager 83% Secondary School Teacher 53
4 Retail Manager 801 Restaurant or Tavern Manager 70% Sales and/or Marketing Manager 41
5 Sales and/or Marketing Manager 611 Structural Engineer 68% Roading Engineer 41
6 University/ Higher Education Lecturer 561 Psychologist 47% Psychologist 33
7 Early Childhood Teacher 551 ESOL Teacher 46% Senior Education Manager 32
8 Policy Analyst 376 Chief Executive and/or Managing Director 32% Auditor 32
9 Primary School Teacher 332 Chemical Engineer 31% Public Health and District Nurse 31
10 Secondary School Teacher 324 Hotel or Motel Manager 25% Structural Engineer 26
Source: Department of Labour.

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

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Representative 1597 Quantity Surveyor 140% Quantity Surveyor 154
2 Carpenter and/or Joiner 1233 Other Health Associate Professional 70% Painter, Decorator and/or Paperhanger 53
3 Technical Representative 641 Veterinary Assistant 59% Plumber 49
4 Electrician 629 Legal Executive 37% Mechanical Engineering Technician 48
5 Real Estate Agent/Property Consultant 608 Other Electronics Engineering Technician 30% Other Health Associate Professional 39
6 Painter, Decorator and/or Paperhanger 582 Mechanical Engineering Technician 26% Builder (Including Contractor) 28
7 Social Worker 575 Plumber 24% Property Developer 25
8 Builder (Including Contractor) 569 Glazier 21% Avionics Technician 24
9 Draughting Technician 565 Other Medical Equipment Controller 20% Legal Executive 24
10 Machinery Mechanic 492 Electronics Serviceperson 19% Probation Worker 22
Source: Department of Labour.

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

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 4559 Horse Trainer, Groom or Stable Hand 144% Fruit Grower, Worker 229
2 General Clerk 2164 Weighing and Tally Clerk 130% Kitchenhand 162
3 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 1979 Pumping-Station Operator 104% Care Giver 93
4 Care Giver 1957 Housekeeper (Not Private) 62% Courier and Deliverer 75
5 Cleaner 1819 Health Assistant 57% Health Assistant 70
6 Chef 1550 Market Gardener and Related Worker 55% Crop and Livestock Farmer, Worker 68
7 Waiter 1542 Driller 51% Housekeeper (Not Private) 63
8 General Labourer 1500 Tour and Travel Guide 47% Horse Trainer, Groom or Stable Hand 62
9 Secretary 1462 Fruit Grower, Worker 39% Weighing and Tally Clerk 56
10 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 1269 Travel Attendant 33% Packer 53
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 February 2007

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 1309 Bank Officer 73% Quantity Surveyor 95
2 Sales Representative 771 Construction Manager 69% Bank Officer 87
3 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 710 Auditor 67% Auditor 45
4 Secretary 555 Other Electronics Engineering Technician 56% Financial Adviser 29
5 General Clerk 544 Financial Adviser 40% Construction Manager 24
6 Chef 463 Restaurant or Tavern Manager 35% Sales and/or Marketing Manager 24
7 Accountant 433 Architect 33% Restaurant or Tavern Manager 18
8 Dispatch and Receiving Clerk 364 Market Research Analyst 32% Human Resources Officer 18
9 Waiter 338 Other Civil Engineer 32% Demonstrator (Sales) 17
10 Accounts Clerk 301 Care Giver 30% Drainlayer 16
11 Sales and/or Marketing Manager 270 Legal Executive 27% Other Electronics Engineering Technician 15
12 Retail Manager 262 Drainlayer 27% Care Giver 14
13 Catering Counter Assistant 257 General Manager 23% Police Officer 14
14 Administration Manager 257 Human Resources Officer 22% Human Resources Manager 14
15 Telephone Switchboard Operator 240 Senior Education Manager 21% Architect 13
16 Light Truck or Van Driver 234 Transport Electrician 19% Linesperson 12
17 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 214 Cook 18% Property Developer 12
18 Carpenter and/or Joiner 212 Demonstrator (Sales) 16% Structural Engineer 11
19 Insurance Representative 207 Typist and Word Processor Operator 14% Market Research Analyst 11
20 Bank Officer 206 Actor 10% Sales Assistant 10
Source: Department of Labour.

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

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Fruit Grower, Worker 522 Horse Trainer, Groom or Stable Hand 155% Fruit Grower, Worker 238
2 Sales Assistant 314 Painter, Decorator and/or Paperhanger 103% Courier and Deliverer 51
3 Care Giver 237 Courier and Deliverer 89% Weighing and Tally Clerk 49
4 Cleaner 212 Fruit Grower, Worker 84% Horse Trainer, Groom or Stable Hand 45
5 General Clerk 194 Loader and/or Checker 75% Fork-Lift Operator 45
6 Packer 159 Sheet-Metal Worker 59% Catering Counter Assistant 44
7 General Labourer 145 Catering Counter Assistant 55% Loader and/or Checker 42
8 Fork-Lift Operator 138 Fork-Lift Operator 48% Painter, Decorator and/or Paperhanger 36
9 Chef 128 Plasterer 36% Packer 28
10 Waiter 127 Machinery Mechanic 33% Chef 27
Source: Department of Labour.

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

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 833 Restaurant or Tavern Manager 162% Cleaner 106
2 General Labourer 541 Concrete Worker 152% Telephone Switchboard Operator 73
3 Cleaner 480 Telephone Switchboard Operator 124% General Labourer 71
4 Care Giver 448 Electric and Electronic Equipment Assembler 107% Kitchenhand 56
5 Registered Nurse 354 Machine Tool Operator 66% Machine Tool Operator 55
6 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 329 Forecourt Attendant 58% Restaurant or Tavern Manager 55
7 General Clerk 323 Data Entry Operator 56% Care Giver 53
8 Carpenter and/or Joiner 308 Senior Education Manager 52% Secretary 52
9 Chef 271 Accountant 49% Accounts Clerk 45
10 Catering Counter Assistant 248 Secretary 46% Real Estate Agent/Property Consultant 44
11 Waiter 246 Kitchenhand 42% Health Assistant 43
12 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 245 Real Estate Agent/Property Consultant 35% Concrete Worker 41
13 Packer 243 Accounts Clerk 34% Accountant 39
14 Sales Representative 207 Crop and Livestock Farmer, Worker 34% Loader and/or Checker 37
15 Builder's Labourer 202 Sports Coach or Trainer 33% Mechanical Engineering Technician 37
16 Kitchenhand 190 Security Officer 32% Electric /Electronic Equipment Assembler 31
17 Paper Products Machine Operator 186 Fitter and Turner 32% Fitter and Turner 30
18 Accounts Clerk 176 Loader and/or Checker 30% Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 29
19 Painter, Decorator and/or Paperhanger 176 Cleaner 28% Painter, Decorator and/or Paperhanger 28
20 Real Estate Agent/Property Consultant 169 Welder and Flame-Cutter 28% Welder and Flame-Cutter 27
Source: Department of Labour.

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

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 56 Sales Assistant 44% Sales Assistant 17
2 Forest Hand 38        
3 General Clerk 26        
4 Care Giver 24        
5 Fruit Grower, Worker 18        
6 Catering Counter Assistant 15        
7 Kitchenhand 15        
8 Social Worker 15        
9 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 13        
10 Chef 13        
Source: Department of Labour.

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

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 144 Real Estate Agent/Property Consultant 73% Care Giver 37
2 Fruit Grower, Worker 132 Care Giver 49% Real Estate Agent/Property Consultant 33
3 Care Giver 112 Bartender 34% Kitchenhand 22
4 Real Estate Agent/Property Consultant 78 Registered Nurse 30% Sports Coach or Trainer 18
5 Cleaner 77 Waiter 25% Technical Representative 17
6 General Clerk 71 Fork-Lift Operator 20% Registered Nurse 14
7 Registered Nurse 61 Early Childhood Teacher 18% Cook 13
8 Waiter 60 Cleaner 17% Child Care Worker 13
9 Carpenter and/or Joiner 51 Packer 16% Waiter 12
10 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 44 Light Truck or Van Driver 13% Weighing and Tally Clerk 11
Source: Department of Labour.

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

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 202 Technical Representative 83% Care Giver 29
2 Care Giver 165 Retail Manager 50% Technical Representative 29
3 General Clerk 107 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 28% Telephone Switchboard Operator 18
4 Registered Nurse 93 Chef 21% Electrician 16
5 Cleaner 90 Care Giver 21% Retail Manager 16
6 Technical Representative 64 Courier and Deliverer 20% Demonstrator (Sales) 15
7 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 59 Stock Clerk 18% Packer 11
8 Social Worker 57 Early Childhood Teacher 13% Kitchenhand 10
9 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 55 University/ Higher Education Lecturer 11% Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 10
10 Carpenter and/or Joiner 55     Psychologist 10
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 12: Marlborough: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to February 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 60     Fruit Grower, Worker 15
2 Cleaner 33     Secretary 14
3 Waiter 32     Registered Nurse 12
4 Sales Assistant 32        
5 Registered Nurse 30        
6 General Clerk 28        
7 Forest Hand 25        
8 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 24        
9 Secretary 23        
10 Cook 21        
Source: Department of Labour.

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

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 130 Waiter 55% Sales Assistant 27
2 Care Giver 98 Fruit Grower, Worker 38% Waiter 22
3 Cleaner 85 General Clerk 31% Logger 19
4 General Clerk 71 Courier and Deliverer 29% Builder's Labourer 19
5 Waiter 62 Sales Assistant 26% General Clerk 17
6 Chef 46 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 24% Child Care Worker 15
7 Fruit Grower, Worker 44     Market Gardener and Related Worker 13
8 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 42     Fruit Grower, Worker 12
9 Courier and Deliverer 36        
10 General Labourer 34        
Source: Department of Labour.

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

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 141 Cleaner 78% Cleaner 31
2 Registered Nurse 78 Registered Nurse 59% Registered Nurse 29
3 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 73 Waiter 31% Courier and Deliverer 24
4 Cleaner 71 Accounts Clerk 19% Builder (Including Contractor) 11
5 Care Giver 65 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 16% Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 10
6 General Clerk 61 Social Worker 10% Safety Inspector 10
7 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 45        
8 Courier and Deliverer 40        
9 Accounts Clerk 38        
10 Sales Representative 35        
Source: Department of Labour.

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

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 263 Cook 90% Cook 26
2 Care Giver 228 Courier and Deliverer 70% Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 25
3 General Clerk 129 Catering Counter Assistant 56% Waiter 23
4 General Labourer 120 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 56% Hairdresser 23
5 Cleaner 102 Hairdresser 49% Courier and Deliverer 23
6 Registered Nurse 98 Waiter 43% Catering Counter Assistant 22
7 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 94 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 28% Builder (Including Contractor) 22
8 Carpenter and/or Joiner 92 Electrician 18% Packer 20
9 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 88 Secondary School Teacher 17% Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 19
10 Waiter 76 Kitchenhand 16% Security Officer 19
Source: Department of Labour.

Table 16: Southland: Total vacancies and growth in all occupations in the 12 months to February 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 231 Cleaner 42% Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 21
2 Sales Assistant 90     Cattle Farmer, Cattle Farm Worker 19
3 Care Giver 53     Sampling Officer 12
4 General Clerk 44     Sales Representative 11
5 Mixed Livestock Farmer/Farm Worker 44     Cleaner 10
6 Registered Nurse 42        
7 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 40        
8 Crop and Livestock Farmer, Worker 35        
9 Cattle Farmer, Cattle Farm Worker 34        
10 Cleaner 34        
Source: Department of Labour.

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

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 110 Builder (Including Contractor) 64% Waiter 40
2 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 102 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 64% Kitchenhand 21
3 Care Giver 65 Courier and Deliverer 26% Retail Manager 21
4 Waiter 63     Bartender 17
5 General Clerk 57     Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 16
6 Registered Nurse 47     Builder (Including Contractor) 16
7 Courier and Deliverer 43     Painter, Decorator and/or Paperhanger 15
8 Heavy Truck or Tanker Driver 41     Cook 13
9 Builder (Including Contractor) 41     Driller 11
10 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 40        
Source: Department of Labour.

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

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 37 Sales Assistant 23% Packer 18
2 Cleaner 27     Catering Counter Assistant 12
3 Fruit Grower, Worker 22     General Clerk 11
4 Packer 22     Waiter 11
5 General Clerk 17        
6 Catering Counter Assistant 14        
7 Courier and Deliverer 14        
8 Waiter 11        
9            
10            
Source: Department of Labour.

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

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 373 Crop and Livestock Farmer, Worker 145% Crop and Livestock Farmer, Worker 61
2 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 266 Technical Representative 138% Technical Representative 55
3 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 192 Bartender 62% Sales Assistant 41
4 General Clerk 185 Hairdresser 59% Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 39
5 Care Giver 143 Accountant 53% Accountant 32
6 Cleaner 127 Kitchenhand 50% Linesperson 27
7 Registered Nurse 124 Plasterer 39% Bartender 23
8 Chef 113 Draughting Technician 32% Hairdresser 23
9 Sales Representative 104 Secretary 31% Secretary 22
10 Crop and Livestock Farmer, Worker 103 Roofer 28% Plumber 22
Source: Department of Labour.

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

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Sales Assistant 494 Restaurant or Tavern Manager 115% Cleaner 64
2 Secretary 369 Sports Coach or Trainer 73% Draughting Technician 52
3 Waiter 325 Draughting Technician 63% Demonstrator (Sales) 42
4 Information Clerk & Other Receptionist 315 Builder (Including Contractor) 62% Waiter 40
5 General Clerk 296 Information Technology Manager 62% Builder (Including Contractor) 33
6 Policy Analyst 278 Packer 59% Secretary 31
7 Chef 258 Demonstrator (Sales) 58% Restaurant or Tavern Manager 30
8 Administration Manager 252 Engineering Technical Manager 55% Packer 29
9 Cleaner 231 Secondary School Teacher 48% Housekeeper (Not Private) 28
10 Catering Counter Assistant 226 Primary School Teacher 47% Quantity Surveyor 24
11 Care Giver 215 Typist and Word Processor Operator 43% Carpenter and/or Joiner 22
12 Registered Nurse 212 Cleaner 38% Information Technology Manager 21
13 General Labourer 210 Early Childhood Teacher 31% Sports Coach or Trainer 19
14 Sales Representative 187 Public Relations Officer 28% Electrician 19
15 Carpenter and/or Joiner 182 Electrician 27% Public Relations Officer 19
16 Accounts Clerk 148 Finance Manager 16% Care Giver 17
17 Kitchenhand 146 Retail Manager 15% Fork-Lift Operator 17
18 Child Care Worker 138 Senior Education Manager 15% Chief Executive and/or Managing Director 17
19 Draughting Technician 135 Waiter 14% Engineering Technical Manager 16
20 Builder's Labourer 130 Carpenter and/or Joiner 14% Retail Manager 16
Source: Department of Labour.

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

Rank 		High Vacancy Occupations No. of vacancies Top Percentage Growth Occupations % Growth Top Numeric Growth Occupations Numeric Growth
1 Machinery Mechanic 34     Machinery Mechanic 22
2 Waiter 32     Waiter 21
3 Sales Assistant 31     Kitchenhand 19
4 Kitchenhand 27     Care Giver 15
5 Care Giver 26        
6 Dairy Farmer, Dairy Farm Worker 25        
7 Cleaner 24        
8 Chef 21        
9 Cook 19        
10 University and Higher Education Lecturer and/or Tutor 16        
Source: Department of Labour.

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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