Jobs soar as boom takes hold in Bay

Job vacancies in Hawke's Bay have jumped and unemployment is down amid renewed signs of economic resurgence.

Job website Seek recorded a 12 per cent increase in Bay job listings last month to 300, up from 267 a year ago.

The number of people applying for jobs also grew, up 25 per cent, as local job-seekers grew more confident.

The buoyant figures follow Statistics NZ data last month showing unemployment had fallen across the Bay region to 7.3 and the number of people with jobs had grown to 103,100 in the three months to December.

Nationwide, Seek saw a 10 per cent increase in job listings in February, with 22,000 new ads posted during the month, its strongest figures in the past three years.

In the same period last year, 20,000 new jobs were listed.

Job applications were also up by 6 per cent.

Recruitment firm Boss Group owner Leanne Welsh, based in Napier, said February had definitely been a busy month, with many job seekers becoming more confident to switch jobs.

Although there were a few empty shops in the CBD due to earthquake concerns, it was good to see some major chain retailers moving into the area, she said.

"I think Hawke's Bay is really starting to go ahead. You're certainly seeing and feeling a little bit more of a happier vibe."

Administration jobs had increased after a sharp drop off during the recession, when companies axed support roles to save money. The rise showed companies were recognising the need to employ admin staff to respond to business growth.

Seek New Zealand general manager Janet Faulding said the February numbers were evidence of a robust job market, both in the main centres and the regions.

"The employment market is showing signs of recovery across New Zealand, driven by the main metropolitan areas of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, with regional New Zealand continuing to contribute to the overall picture.

"It's encouraging to see the regions benefiting from increased activity in the employment market and this confirms there are opportunities outside of the main cities in New Zealand," Ms Faulding said.

Half the roles listed last month were in Auckland, and job listings in that city showed a 10 per cent growth compared to February 2013.

Wellington and Canterbury both recorded 7 per cent growth, while the number of jobs advertised in Marlborough was up 22 per cent, Waikato 19 per cent, and Otago 18 per cent.

Ms Faulding said the increase in job applications by prospective workers was not surprising with the continuing trend of sustained growth in the job market.

Meanwhile, Statistics New Zealand figures from last month show the national unemployment rate dropped to 6 per cent for the December 2013 quarter.

That combined with rising employment figures had taken both to levels last seen in early 2009.APNZ