January is one of the busiest months for job seekers in New Zealand. Many people return from the holidays ready to make a change, and employers start new recruitment cycles that were paused in December. The job market remains soft in many areas, yet new data shows signs of life in key sectors and regions. If you want to start the year strong, it helps to understand what is happening across the country and how you can prepare.
The holiday slowdown: Normal but predictable
Recruitment slows from mid-December to early January. Decision-makers are away and many offices close or run with skeleton staff. You may notice fewer job ads and slower replies. This does not reflect your application. It is simply the nature of the season.
Some industries stay active. Healthcare, transport, trades and community services continue to hire through the break. Retail, hospitality and tourism also stay busy, although many of these roles are short-term. If you applied for a job in late December, you may not hear back until mid-January.
January lifts the market again
Once people return from holiday, hiring ramps up. January brings a rush of new job ads as employers plan ahead for the year. This is a strong time to apply, but it is also when competition peaks. Both SEEK and Trade Me Jobs reported high application numbers through 2024 and 2025, and many industries now see record applications per listing. A single ad can attract a large pool of candidates, so a clear, well-structured CV is more important than ever.
What recent labour market data shows
The broader labour market remains mixed. Stats NZ reports that unemployment reached 5.3 percent in the September 2025 quarter. That continues a run of joblessness above 5 percent, the highest level since 2016. Filled jobs rose by 6,779 roles in September, yet job numbers remain lower than a year earlier. Annual employment growth has been negative through several quarters, which means the job market is still under pressure.
Online job ads offer a more positive picture. The latest MBIE report shows a 3.5 percent rise in online job advertisements over the year to September 2025. Growth was strongest in IT and Construction. Education saw a decline in adverts. Most regions saw gains, with higher-skilled and semi-skilled roles performing better than others.
In short, the market is challenging but not flat. Some sectors and regions are showing renewed demand, and job ads are starting to lift again after a slow period.
What SEEK’s latest reports say
SEEK’s December 2025 Employment Report noted a 2 percent month-on-month decline in job ads. Major cities, including Auckland and Wellington, saw reductions. This reflects the usual seasonal pattern and the softer labour market.
Even so, several sectors recorded growth in December. These include Trades and Services, Manufacturing, Transport and Logistics, and ICT. These areas show steady demand and remain good options for job seekers with the right skills.
Healthcare and Medical roles fell 6 percent, while Retail and Consumer Products dropped 13 percent over the quarter, showing weaker demand in these fields.
A more positive signal came from SEEK’s September 2025 report, which reported the third straight month of rising job ads and the first annual growth in years. Applications per job ad reached record levels. This means employers are receiving many applications for each role, and job seekers should expect strong competition.
What Trade Me Jobs is reporting
Trade Me Jobs data shows that job listings rose 13 percent in the most recent quarter, although national listings were still slightly down year-on-year at -0.8 percent.
Much of the growth came from the South Island. Southland, Otago and Canterbury recorded strong rises, with Southland listings up more than 25 percent. Auckland and Wellington, on the other hand, saw drops in listings compared with the previous year.
For job seekers, this suggests that while the major cities remain tight, regional areas may offer more opportunity, especially in trades, logistics, ICT and roles tied to local development.
Which sectors are growing and which are slowing?
Here is a simple overview based on the latest data.
Sectors showing demand
• ICT and digital
• Trades and services
• Construction and engineering
• Manufacturing
• Transport and logistics
Sectors slowing down
• Retail
• Consumer products
• Some healthcare and medical roles
• Education (in job-ad volume)
How you can make the most of January
You can take several steps now to strengthen your chances.
Update your CV
Make sure it shows your recent achievements, skills and results in a clear way. A tidy and focused CV helps you stand out in a competitive field.
Refresh your LinkedIn
Employers scan profiles early in the year. Keep yours accurate and easy to read.
Use job alerts
Set up alerts on SEEK and Trade Me Jobs so new roles reach you quickly.
Research companies
Look at the places you want to work. When a job opens, you can apply with a tailored CV and a stronger sense of the organisation.
Reach out to contacts
A brief message can help you learn about upcoming openings. January is a good time to reconnect with people who may know what is coming up.
Final thoughts
The New Zealand job market is still soft, yet pockets of demand are growing and job ads are rising in several regions and sectors. January is a strong month to apply for roles, and many employers start hiring again once they return from the break. If you prepare well now, you can take advantage of the surge in activity.
If you want help improving your CV, planning your next steps or getting ready for interviews, support is available. A clear and well-presented CV gives you a stronger start in a competitive market.
References
Stats NZ. Unemployment Rate and Filled Jobs Data, September 2025 Quarter.
Scoop Business. Filled Jobs Rise by 6,779 in September 2025.
New Zealand Parliament. Employment Growth Statistics, 2024–2025.
MBIE. Jobs Online Report, Year to September 2025.
Indian Weekender. SEEK Employment Report, December 2025.
Auckland Scoop. Sector-based SEEK Job Ad Trends, December 2025.
1News. SEEK Applications per Job Ad and Annual Job-Ad Growth, 2025.
HCAMag. Trade Me Jobs Quarterly Listings Data, 2025.
B2B News. Regional Job-ad Trends on Trade Me Jobs, 2025.