Recession-Proof Jobs in New Zealand: Demand Remains Strong

New Zealand is facing a challenging job market as unemployment rates rise and job seekers encounter prolonged periods of searching for employment. Despite these difficulties, employment experts highlight that certain roles remain resilient, offering stability even amid economic downturns. According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, job advertisements saw a decline of 7.6 percent in the year leading up to the June quarter, which is an improvement from the previous quarter’s drop of 21.7 percent. Notably, job ads in healthcare and primary industries experienced an increase during this period.

Recruiters indicate that demand for specific roles continues to be robust. Seek reported that the most advertised positions included sales account managers, with 3,533 listings, business development managers at just over 2,500, accountants exceeding 2,300, and electricians surpassing 2,100. Roles such as nurses, support workers, administration staff, sales assistants, and chefs are also seeing heightened demand.

Blair Chapman, a senior economist at Seek, emphasized the impact of demographic changes on hiring trends, particularly in healthcare. He stated, “With an estimated 7.5 percent of Kiwis now over the age of 75, and another 9 percent over 65, support workers and nurses are likely to remain in demand as the need for care grows.” The recovery of the tourism sector is further contributing to the demand for hospitality jobs. Chapman noted, “We’ve seen a lift in visitor numbers, particularly from Australia, which is helping drive demand for chefs and retail workers.”

Hayley Pickard, managing director of Fortitude Group, also observed that jobs in healthcare and aged care remain consistently strong, along with opportunities in technology and education. However, she pointed out that sectors such as construction, engineering, and manufacturing have been adversely affected by economic pressures.

Interestingly, other resilient sectors may not be immediately obvious. Gareth Kiernan, chief forecaster at Infometrics, noted that utilities and mining have historically managed to weather economic downturns. “Households and businesses will always need electricity, water, and telecommunications. Likewise, mining tends to continue operating even in weak economies, particularly when global demand for commodities like gold or coal remains strong,” he explained.

Kiernan added that healthcare, social assistance, and education are among the least impacted by economic fluctuations. In fact, economic downturns can lead to increased demand for tertiary education, as many young people choose to delay entering a challenging job market. Parts of the agriculture and food manufacturing sectors also maintain stability, provided that export demand remains robust. Although central government roles have experienced cutbacks, they still exhibit relative stability compared to the private sector.

Despite the current economic challenges, a cautious optimism is emerging among some employers. Pickard remarked that confidence is gradually building. “I’m slowly noticing clients with an optimistic outlook for 2026. Many want to weather 2025, keep the lights on, and then look to the future with renewed confidence,” she stated.

As New Zealand navigates this complex job landscape, it is clear that while many sectors struggle, opportunities continue to exist in specific fields, offering hope to job seekers amid a fluctuating economy.