Buoyant New Zealand economy attracts Australian workers

Buoyant New Zealand economy attracts Australian workers

Jobs being generated by New Zealand’s growing economy are attracting the attention of an increasing number of Australian candidates, according to Hays in New Zealand.

The recruiter says there has been a 25 to 30 per cent increase in enquiries from Australians about permanent roles across the Tasman Sea.

According to the IMF, economic growth in New Zealand is expected to pick up to 2.9 per cent in 2014, compared to a rate of 2.8 per cent in Australia, and business and consumer confidence is on the rise.

“We expect to receive more interest from Australians as permanent employment opportunities grow along with the increase in openness from employers towards temporary/contract employment,” says Jason Walker, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand.

“The demand for strong, experienced and skilled professionals is increasing and Australian candidates have the advantage of being permitted to work in the country under the same conditions as New Zealanders.

“Australian contractors have been looking at opportunities in New Zealand within the IT and engineering industries but employers here are less likely to consider them as they have concerns that employees will go straight back to Australia the minute the market improves.

“Another issue for Australians looking for work in New Zealand is salaries. They can be put off a role as the remuneration is often lower than what they are used to.”

This is reflected in the fact that hundreds of jobs have been shifted to New Zealand over the past few years as Australian producers try to avoid the impact of high wages, a soaring Australian dollar and restrictive labour laws.

Employment in New Zealand increased 1.2 per cent, or by 27,000 jobs, in the third quarter of 2013, the most since early 2007, the statistics bureau said last earlier this month. The jobless rate fell to 6.2 per cent from 6.4 per cent.

Hays, the world’s leading recruiting experts in qualified, professional and skilled people.

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