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More Opportunities, Less Competition - What The Latest Data Means For Your Job Search

Kellie Hamlett - Director, Talent ID Recruitment Ltd

Candidate Job Hunting Employee

If you've been job hunting over the past couple of years, you'll know how tough it's been. You're one of 50 applicants. You don't hear back. You second-guess your CV. You wonder if it's worth putting
yourself out there.

Here's some heartening news: the landscape is shifting.

SEEK's February 2026 data shows job ads are up 12.2% nationally compared to this time last year, the strongest annual growth since 2022. Locally, we're seeing solid movement across the Bay of Plenty (up 19.3% y/y), Waikato (14.7% y/y), and Hawke's Bay (10.2% y/y). More roles are being advertised, across more industries.

Just as importantly, applications per job ad have dropped 2.4% this month. The volume of people chasing each role is coming down. You have a better chance of being seen.

For those working in or seeking roles in community services, hauora, social services, or the broader public sector — your sector continues to grow. Community Services & Development is up 15.3% annually. Healthcare & Medical is up 19.1%. These are industries where skilled, values-aligned people are genuinely needed.

Salaries are also moving in the right direction up 3.0% year-on-year nationally, with the "Rest of the North Island" (which includes our rohe) recording the fastest quarterly salary growth outside the main centres.

If you've been biding your time, this is a good moment to update your profile, refresh your CV, and put your hand up. The market is more receptive than it's been in years.

Talent ID works with candidates across our region to find roles that genuinely fit, your skills, your values, your life. If you'd like a confidential chat about what's out there, reach out.

We'd love to hear from you.

Kellie Hamlett
Director, Talent ID Recruitment Ltd

 

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