September 19th, 2024
The hospitality sector in New Zealand has witnessed an 8.9% annual increase in filled job numbers, translating to 12,196 jobs for the year ending March 2023, according to figures released last week by Stats NZ. In comparison, across all industries, filled job numbers were up 2.8% (61,683 jobs) in the March 2023 quarter, compared with the March 2022 quarter.
"Filled job numbers in accommodation and food services lifted strongly during the latter part of 2022, and this has continued into this year," said Sue Chapman, business employment insights manager at Stats NZ. According to her, this surge in job numbers in the hospitality sector coincides with the opening of New Zealand’s borders and a rise in overseas visitors since mid-2022.
The annual increase in filled jobs for the accommodation and food services sector was nearly twice that of the next largest increase, which was observed in the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, up 6,227 jobs (3.5%). The healthcare and social assistance sector grew by 6,019 filled jobs (2.4%) in the same period.
In terms of earnings, total gross earnings for the year ended March 2023 increased by NZD 12.9 billion (8.8%) from the year ending March 2022. The professional, scientific, and technical services industry was the most significant contributor to this increase, with gross earnings up NZD 1.9 billion (13%) from the previous year. Healthcare and social assistance saw the next largest increase, up NZD 1.7 billion (10%). Gross earnings in construction were up NZD 1.2 billion (9.4%) in the year ended March 2023.