If your job search feels harder than it should, it might not be you — it might be where you're looking. New Zealand's latest employment figures from Stats NZ show a labour market that's growing overall, but growing unevenly. Some industries, regions and age groups are seeing real hiring momentum. Others are stalling or shrinking. Knowing the difference can save you months of applying into the wrong pool.

Here's what the numbers actually mean for your job search, broken down in plain terms.

Start With the Industries That Are Actively Hiring

Nationally, filled jobs rose 0.8% over the year to July, reaching 2.34 million — an extra 18,033 roles. But the growth wasn't spread evenly, and that's the part job seekers should pay attention to.

Healthcare and social assistance is the strongest performer by far, adding 6,581 jobs (+2.3%) over the year. If you have any healthcare, aged-care, or support-work experience — or you're considering retraining — this is currently the most active hiring sector in the country.

Public administration and safety is close behind, up 4% (6,418 jobs), and education and training grew by 2,630 jobs (+1.2%). Construction also added 1,810 jobs (+0.9%), a solid sign for tradespeople and anyone in construction-adjacent roles.

If you're job hunting in professional, scientific or technical services, it's worth knowing the sector actually lost jobs — down 2,078 (-1.1%) over the year. That doesn't mean roles aren't out there, but expect more competition for fewer openings, and consider widening your search to adjacent industries or company types.

Consider Where You're Searching, Not Just What

Location makes a real difference right now. Canterbury posted the strongest job growth of any region, up 6,824 jobs (+2.2%), followed by Auckland (+4,427), Waikato (+3,330) and Otago (+1,710). If you're open to relocating or searching remotely across regions, these are the areas where employers are actively adding headcount.

Northland is the one region to be cautious about — it lost 1,526 jobs (-2.1%), the steepest decline Stats NZ reported. If you're job hunting there, it may be worth casting a wider net into neighbouring regions or remote-friendly roles.

You're Not Imagining the Competition

The data also shows some real shifts in who's landing jobs. Job growth for women (+7,959, or 0.7%) outpaced men (+3,819, or 0.3%) over the year. Older job seekers are doing notably well too — employment among people 65 and over rose 4.1% (5,407 jobs), a good sign if you're job hunting later in your career and worried age might be working against you.

By age group, 35-to-39-year-olds saw the biggest jump in job numbers (+9,030, or 3.2%), while 30-to-34-year-olds actually saw jobs decline (-5,180, or 1.8%). If you're in your early thirties and your search feels tougher than expected, this data suggests it's not just you — that age bracket is genuinely facing more competition right now.

Pay Is Moving Up Too

It's not all about job counts. Total gross earnings across the country reached $16.5 billion in July, up $607 million (+3.8%) on the year — a sign that wages are rising alongside hiring, particularly in the sectors seeing the strongest job growth. Worth keeping in mind when you're negotiating an offer.

Bottom Line for Your Search

If your applications aren't landing, it may be less about your resume and more about where you're aiming it. Right now, healthcare, public administration, education and construction are the industries with real hiring momentum, and Canterbury, Auckland and Waikato are the regions to prioritise. If you're in professional or technical services, or based in Northland, it's worth broadening your search — by industry, location, or both — to improve your odds. Stats NZ notes these figures are provisional for three months as more data comes in, but they're a solid guide for where to focus your job search this quarter.