Jobs growth slowing fast

Jobs growth has turned into a decline on roles month to month for the first time September 2021 when the country was grappling with regional lockdowns. The number of roles advertised in April was 402 compared with 581 (down 30%). In March and down 204 roles in April last year (down 33%) The number of jobs advertised in the region has continued to decline month to month since the start of the year but has accelerated sharply in April. April typically is a quiet month as the town comes into a shoulder season between school holidays in March and the commencement of the ski season in June.  

The accommodation crisis is also a key factor at play as the town has struggled to find accommodation for all its workforce.

Queenstown’s jobs market trend is in line with the national online numbers reported by the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment which show an overall decline in advertised online job advertisements nationally of 15.7% this year and 18% in the hospitality sector.

One area locally, where jobs growth is being recorded is in the demand for finance and admin roles, all be it off a slow base. This year has seen 75 roles advertised up from 24 the prior year.