Wages reach a new high

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Wages here are at an all-time high but are still below the national average, new statistics show.

New Zealand’s national average salary has reached a new record of more than $70,000, according to the latest Trade Me Jobs data.

While record average salaries are being seen in the big cities, Trade Me’s data shows the regions also continue to grow, with new highs seen in the Bay of Plenty ($69,448), Gisborne ($68,496), Hawke’s Bay ($68,135) and Otago ($68,326).

Gisborne Chamber of Commerce president Tessa Allan suggested the figures reflected the reality faced by employers.

“Employers are having to increase wages to retain staff and attract new employees.

“It’s a very competitive market; employees are looking for better conditions and better wages due to the rising cost of living.”

Trade Me Jobs sales director Matt Tolich said it was the first time the average salary in Aotearoa has crossed the $70,000 mark, with the average salary sitting at $70,069 — a 6 percent increase on last year.

“While the cost of living in Aotearoa continues to rise, it is promising to see that salaries are increasing too. We’re seeing record average wages across hospitality and tourism, trades and services, retail and customer service.

“This shows that employers are working hard to make sure salaries are competitive in order to attract employees in this high cost of living environment.

“It’s the workers that keep our country moving who are seeing record pay rates. It’s our nurses, chefs, builders and customer service staff, both in the major cities and the regions,” he said.