← All posts

Canterbury up, Northland down: where New Zealand’s jobs are really growing, and what it means for Ugandans

News · 2026-08-28 · 4 min read

Location can matter as much as industry when you plan work abroad, and New Zealand’s latest employment figures show it clearly. Some regions are adding jobs fast while others are shedding them. If you live in Kampala or Entebbe and are weighing a move, this guide starts with the map, then turns to sectors and people.

The national picture first

The country added roughly 18,000 filled jobs over the year to July, bringing the total to 2.34 million. Between June and July, on a seasonally adjusted basis, employers added another 7,746 roles, a 0.3% lift. The numbers are provisional for three months while payday filing data comes in, so use them as a strong early signal.

Region by region

The South Island and central North Island are doing better than the north. Canterbury’s result suggests strong momentum continues in the Christchurch area. If you are choosing where to focus your search, those numbers are a useful starting point, though a regional trend never replaces checking individual employers. Our guide to New Zealand’s plumbing crisis shows how some trades can find demand in particular places.

Which industries are behind the growth

Healthcare and social assistance added 6,581 jobs (2.3%), the biggest source of new employment. Public administration and safety followed with 6,418 jobs (4%), education and training added 2,630 (1.2%) and construction 1,810 (0.9%). Professional, scientific and technical services, which covers much white-collar and technology-related work, lost 2,078 jobs (1.1%). If your background is nursing, aged care or allied health, the data is encouraging, but a Ugandan qualification does not automatically equal New Zealand registration, so find out what your profession requires. If you work in consulting, IT or scientific services, plan for a softer market.

Who is gaining

Women gained 7,959 jobs (0.7%) over the year, compared with 3,819 (0.3%) for men. Workers aged 65 and over saw a 4.1% rise, adding 5,407 jobs, which is useful context for people moving later in a career, though visa rules and employer requirements still apply to every applicant. The 35 to 39 bracket recorded the biggest raw gain, 9,030 jobs (3.2%), while the 30 to 34 bracket lost 5,180 (1.8%).

Taken together, these figures describe a labour market that is shifting rather than simply growing. Some groups and places are pulling ahead while others are under pressure, and a worker who understands that pattern can target a search instead of sending the same application everywhere. It also helps to talk to people who already live in the region you are considering, because local knowledge of rents, schools and commuting often decides whether a move works out in practice.

Wages

Total gross earnings reached $16.5 billion in July, up $607 million (3.8%) on the year. That suggests employers are paying more as well as hiring more, which matters if you are budgeting for a move.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Picking a region from a single report.
• Assuming that growth in a sector means jobs are open to everyone at once.
• Believing that a UNEB result or a Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) certificate is an automatic New Zealand qualification.
• Skipping advice from a licensed immigration adviser, or from a migration agent on the MARA register if you also consider Australia.

A verified Talent Tabloid profile is optional but can help show your experience. Also read how student visas are reshaping New Zealand’s migration story and browse the job listings.

Frequently asked questions

Which region had the biggest gain?

Canterbury, with 6,824 more jobs over the year.

Which region lost the most?

Northland, down 1,526 jobs.

Is healthcare really growing?

Yes, healthcare and social assistance added 6,581 jobs.

Are the numbers final?

They are provisional for three months.

Did pay rise?

Total gross earnings rose by $607 million (3.8%) to $16.5 billion in July.

Key takeaways

• About 18,000 filled jobs were added over the year to July.
• Canterbury, Auckland and Waikato grew; Northland fell by 1,526.
• Healthcare, public administration, education and construction lead sectors.
• Professional, scientific and technical services lost 2,078 jobs.
• Check registration and licensing rules for your occupation.

#new zealand regions #employment data #canterbury #uganda #skilled workers