← All posts

Which New Zealand sectors are hiring? What the latest jobs figures mean for workers in Kenya

News · 2026-08-28 · 4 min read

Short answer: New Zealand’s newest employment figures show a market with a clear shape. Healthcare, public administration, education and construction are adding jobs, while professional, scientific and technical services are shrinking. For a skilled worker in Nairobi or Mombasa, the useful question is not the headline total but which sectors, regions and groups are actually hiring. The figures are provisional for three months, so treat them as a strong early signal, not the final word.

The headline numbers

The labour market added roughly 18,000 filled jobs over the year to July, taking the national total to 2.34 million. On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, employers added another 7,746 roles between June and July, a 0.3% lift. Those totals matter less than where the growth came from.

Sector by sector

Healthcare is the standout and the single biggest source of new employment. For nurses, aged-care staff, allied health professionals and support workers, it is arguably the clearest green light in the data. Remember that New Zealand registration is a separate step: a Kenyan qualification does not automatically equal a New Zealand licence or registration. Construction’s gain is a useful signal for tradespeople, since that sector tracks housing and infrastructure investment closely. Consulting, IT and scientific roles face a softer market, so factor that into your plan if you work there. See our piece on New Zealand’s large project pipeline for the construction side.

A practical way to use this table is to pair it with your own record. List your last three roles, the tasks you did most often and any licences, then see which row they match. If there is a clear match, look for employers in that sector. If there is not, think about which of your skills could transfer, and what a short course or a reference letter might add.

Regions

Canterbury led the country with 6,824 more jobs over the year, a rise of 2.2%. Auckland added 4,427 and Waikato 3,330, while Otago gained 1,710. Northland went the other way, losing 1,526 jobs, a 2.1% fall and the steepest drop of any region highlighted. For someone choosing between regions, the South Island and central North Island are currently outperforming the north.

Who is being hired

Women accounted for most of the annual growth, gaining 7,959 jobs (0.7%) against 3,819 (0.3%) for men. Employment among people aged 65 and over rose 4.1%, adding 5,407 jobs. The 35 to 39 age group recorded the largest raw gain, up 9,030 jobs (3.2%), while the 30 to 34 group lost 5,180 jobs (1.8%).

Pay is moving too. Total gross earnings reached $16.5 billion in July, up $607 million (3.8%) on the year, so employers are paying more as well as hiring more.

Common mistakes Kenyan applicants make with job data

• Choosing a sector from one month’s figures. The data is provisional.
• Assuming growth in a sector means every role in it is open to overseas applicants.
• Treating a NITA trade test certificate or a nursing qualification from Kenya as automatic New Zealand registration or licensing.
• Ignoring regional differences when deciding where to apply.

Prepare a clear CV with Build AI CV, and read what the immigration overhaul means for you. Use a licensed immigration adviser or a lawfully exempt person for New Zealand, and a migration agent on the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) register for Australia. Browse live openings on our jobs page.

Frequently asked questions

Which sector added the most jobs?

Healthcare and social assistance, with 6,581 new jobs over the year.

Which region led?

Canterbury, adding 6,824 jobs.

Which sector shrank?

Professional, scientific and technical services, losing 2,078 jobs.

Are the figures final?

No. They are provisional for three months as payday filing data comes in.

Do wages show growth?

Yes. Total gross earnings were $16.5 billion in July, up 3.8% on the year.

Key takeaways

• About 18,000 filled jobs were added over the year to July, to 2.34 million.
• Healthcare, public administration, education and construction are growing.
• Professional, scientific and technical services lost 2,078 jobs.
• Canterbury, Auckland and Waikato lead; Northland fell.
• Treat the data as an early signal and check registration rules for your occupation.

#new zealand jobs #employment data #healthcare jobs #kenya #construction