News & Media

This resource for journalists and investors includes media releases, announcements and statements.

Media Contacts

Media representatives can contact Sarah Wesley (Trade Marketing & PR Manager) for information on topics such as:

• the origins and future of internet recruitment
• tips on how to conduct an effective online job search
• success stories and case studies of recruiters and job hunters who are using the Internet to fill - and find - jobs faster
• interviews with SEEK representatives

Sarah Wesley - e: swesley@seek.co.nz / t: 099202349

2012 Media Releases

Media Release

9.3% INCREASE IN JOBS IN 2011

Job ads increased by 9.3% year on year in 2011, according to new data released by www.seek.co.nz today. This nationwide rise in the SEEK New Job Ad Index spells a positive close to last year's job market.

"After a positive 2010, continued growth in new jobs over the last 12 months is an encouraging sign of a strengthening labour market," says Janet Faulding, General Manager of SEEK New Zealand.

Wellington and Canterbury both recorded strong year on year growth in new job ads, with the SEEK New Job Ad Index rising by 7.9% in Wellington and by a substantial 52.8% in Canterbury.

And there is further good news for jobseekers; the growth in new job ads was larger than the growth in applications over the last 12 months. The SEEK Employment Index (SEI) measures the ratio of new job ads placed on SEEK, the country's largest job source, to the number of applications for those jobs. A nationwide year on year increase of 2.9% in the SEI illustrates that the number of new jobs listed on www.seek.co.nz is growing at a faster rate than applications for those roles.

As with the SEEK New Job Ad Index, the SEI increase in Canterbury, a significant 66% year on year, outstrips other regions suggesting that while job opportunities continue to grow in the quake ravaged region, the number of active jobseekers has not. Ms Faulding explains;

"The rebuild of Christchurch has seen a significant increase in the demand for labour however, as shown by data released by Statistics New Zealand, the region's population has decreased as residents move to other New Zealand cities or overseas. In addition, new residents are not currently being attracted to the region."

In December, recruitment agency positions made SEEK's list of most sought after employees for only the second time in 2011.

"As with December 2010, recruitment agency employees were in high demand in December and this could indicate an expectation of increased demand for recruitment services in coming months as firms look to hire new staff. This trend is definitely reflective of the spike in activity we see on www.seek.co.nz during the first quarter of the year as people return from holiday and reassess their career goals for the year ahead," comments Ms Faulding.

Job Applications

December's top five most competitive occupations:

1. Retail and Consumer Products - Retail Assistants
2. Administration and Office Support - Administrative Assistants
3. Hospitality and Tourism - Chefs/Cooks
4. Sales - Sales representatives/Consultants
5. Information and Communication Technology - Developers/Programmers

Retail Assistant roles remained the most competitive jobs in New Zealand throughout the December, receiving more applications per job advertised than any other on www.seek.co.nz. Cook and chef roles appeared for the second month running, while sales representative and consultant roles and IT developer and programmer roles made the list for the first time.

December's top five most sought after employees:

1. Accounting - Business Services and Corporate Advisory
2. Healthcare and Medical - Nursing; General Medical and Surgical
3. Trades and Services - Automotive Trades
4. Human Resources and Recruitment - Recruitment; Agency
5. Engineering - Civil/Structural Engineering

Those working in business service and corporate advisory roles are the most sought after employees in New Zealand, followed by general medical and surgical nurses, a new entry in December. Like December 2010, recruitment agency roles make the list this month, perhaps indicating a seasonal hiring trend. These roles receive the least number of applications per job advertised, meaning employers find these positions hardest to fill.

-ENDS-

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Liz Holt
Haystac
liz.holt@haystac.co.nz
09 302 7227
021 0426 590

About SEEK
SEEK Limited is the leading online employment and training site in New Zealand. SEEK is a media company using the internet as its distribution channel. SEEK (NZ) Ltd was incorporated in September 1999. SEEK (NZ) Ltd manages seek.co.nz, New Zealand’s largest employment website and one of the best known Internet brands. Currently over 11,000 employment vacancies are advertised on seek.co.nz and the site notched up almost 1.8 million visits from jobseekers in December 2011(Nielsen Net Rankings, NZ Total Traffic, December 2011).

About the SEEK Employment Index
Developed in consultation with Victoria Centre for Strategic Economic Studies at Victoria University, Melbourne, the SEEK Employment Index (SEI) is the first New Zealand aggregate indicator to measure the interaction between labour market supply and labour market demand. Specifically, the SEI represents the relationship between demand for workers and jobseeker activity. When the index increases, it demonstrates a ‘tightening’ employment market; where advertisers find it harder to fill roles (i.e. demand outweighs supply). This is favourable for jobseekers, as job opportunities are greater and competition between applicants is reduced. Inversely, as the index falls, it demonstrates a ‘softening’ employment market (i.e. supply outweighs demand) and advertisers find it easier to fill roles. In this instance, jobseekers need to compete more for available jobs.

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Media Release

PAY PACKETS UP 5%

Salaries grew by over $3,000 in 2011, data released by SEEK New Zealand today has shown. The average national Kiwi pay packet increased 5% to $73,530 per annum across jobs advertised on www.seek.co.nz.

Janet Faulding, General Manager SEEK New Zealand, welcomes this positive news for New Zealanders;

"A 5% increase in salary adds up to an additional $250 in the average Kiwi pay packet every month. I'm sure that makes a significant difference in many households."

This combined with the recently reported 10% increase in job ads shows the New Zealand employment market continued its positive growth trajectory in 2011.

In Auckland, the average salary rose by $5,000 from January to November 2011, an increase of more than 6%, closing out the year with an average annual salary of $75,533. In the nation's capital the average salary package increased by $2,825 to reach $78,952.

Interestingly, New Zealand's highest pay packets are not confined to the main centres with both the West Coast and Taranaki recording annual salaries above the national average. Ms Faulding explains;

"The Mining, Resources and Energy sector currently boosts New Zealand's highest average annual salary and we saw a marked increase in available roles in this industry in 2011. There is a concentration of roles in this sector both on the West Coast and in Taranaki and this is having a positive impact on salaries in these regions."

Average NZ salary packages by region (based on jobs advertised on seek.co.nz)

Roles in Mining, Resources and Energy also experienced the biggest salary increase in 2011, growing by 17.7% in the eleven months to November, closing the year on an average salary of $118,629. The second fastest growing classification was Advertising, Arts and Media, enjoying a 15.7% increase across the year, now with an average annual salary of $70,429.

The top salaries in the country in November 2011 spanned both white and blue collar industries. After Mining, Resources and Energy, the top five earning classifications were Consulting and Strategy ($89,121), Information and Communication Technology ($88,066), Engineering ($86,259) and Construction ($86,052).

Average NZ salary packages by classification (based on jobs advertised on seek.co.nz)

"We know that the New Year is typically a time of increased activity for jobseekers on www.seek.co.nz as those looking to land a new job in the New Year start applying themselves to the job hunt. For employers looking to attract or retain good staff, now is an ideal time to review salary packages to ensure your employees feel valued. If budgets don't stretch to cover pay increases, offering non-monetary perks such as flexible working options or training and development opportunities can be another way of demonstrating your appreciation for your employees," Ms Faulding concludes.

-ENDS-

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Liz Holt
Haystac
liz.holt@haystac.co.nz
09 302 7227
021 0426 590

*All figures based on job listings on seek.co.nz, January - November 2011. Average salary rates reflect an aggregated midpoint of the annual salary package of full-time jobs on offer, not average pay rates for people in work.

About SEEK
SEEK Limited is the leading online employment and training site in New Zealand. SEEK is a media company using the internet as its distribution channel. SEEK (NZ) Ltd was incorporated in September 1999. SEEK (NZ) Ltd manages seek.co.nz, New Zealand's largest employment website and one of the best known Internet brands. Currently over 12,000 employment vacancies are advertised on SEEK in New Zealand and the site attracts almost 2.5 million visits every month (Source: Nielsen Market Intelligence Ranking Report December 2011 (covering the period 01.11.11 - 30.11.11) based on total visits)

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