Northland voter interest in health, transport and education was higher than their counterparts anywhere else in the country, while interest in child poverty, environment, interest rates and housing was low.
Whangarei mayor Sheryl Mai said she was "constantly delighted" to hear employers were feeling more confident. "Often they're saying they're confident enough now to create just one more job."
Small and medium enterprises made up the majority of employers in the region. "And if each of those could have that sense of success enough to employ another person then our unemployment rate will be reduced dramatically."
Local construction was in "great shape", as was manufacturing and the boat-building industry.
Ms Mai said initiatives to address job creation were already underway.
"We are going to be ploughing ahead with the Mayor's Taskforce for Jobs, looking at the ways that we can bring employees and potential employers together.
"We will be making some announcements around that very soon."
Search giant Google's Annie Baxter said the results showed the focus in Saturday's election varied from region to region.
"The popularity of searches can provide insights into the issues that matter most to people in different parts of New Zealand," she said.
Cantabrians had around half the interest in education - showing more concern with climate change and interest rates.
Crime and employment registered highest in Wanganui-Manawatu while Wellingtonians were most concerned with climate change and housing.
Interest in the economy was strongest in Otago, while income took the top spot in Hawke's Bay.
