If you'd like to know which skills are in demand, or what recruiting, salary or candidate trends are impacting your sector, we have the answers. Our Hays Quarterly Report is a guide to current hotspots of recruitment activity and trends. It is updated each quarter to reflect changing market conditions.

1. Most regions of New Zealand
are experiencing increased
residential activity, while the
unprecedented investment
in commercial construction
and transport projects across
Auckland is creating significant
skill shortages.
With residential companies busier than
ever and teams growing as a result,
residential Quantity Surveyors are in very
short supply. Some of these candidates
are moving to the Bay of Plenty due to
the number of residential developments
there as well as for a lifestyle change,
which adds to the shortage of necessary
construction skills in Auckland.
Commercial construction is also very
active, with new names entering the
Auckland market and new start-ups also
stretching the workforce. Given the skill
shortage, some employers are increasing
salaries to secure candidates however
there is concern that these candidates do
not always have the experience to expect
such rates at other contractors.
The majority of projects are based in the
CBD or at Auckland International Airport
and will continue to develop over the next
six to 12 months.
The Wellington market is moving forward
with a number of large private and
government commercial construction
projects either underway or announced.
There is high demand for Site Managers
in the new build commercial construction
space as well as intermediate to senior
Project Managers to work on fit-out and
refurbishment projects.
Seismic strengthening work continues
across the Wellington region. This is
causing a skills shortage, particularly in the
contract project management area.
Civil construction activity is also
increasing with new highways being built
across the region, while the residential
market continues to grow.
Employers need to move quickly to secure
talent as the market is job heavy but
candidate short.
Hotspots of demand
In Auckland Residential Quantity
Surveyors with new build experience
rather than earthquake recovery
experience are in high demand. We’re also
seeing a need for senior and professional
residential Quantity Surveyors with strong
experience due to the Auckland housing
shortage. Areas like Pukekohe, Pokeno
and Hobsonville are all being developed
into new subdivisions and companies are
moving into the Auckland market, which is
adding to demand.
Commercial Quantity Surveyors with New
Zealand experience are needed too. Major
projects are underway in the already busy
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2. commercial sector causing the demand
for candidates to continue to grow. With
the increase in high rise apartments,
candidates with 5 or more years of New
Zealand multi-story experience are in
high demand.
Meanwhile demand for Senior Quantity
Surveyors is still at an all-time high.
Senior Commercial Estimators are
sought by companies moving into
the Auckland market. Employers
want candidates with New Zealand
experience, and the high turnover within
Auckland is adding to demand.
Site Managers with commercial
experience on structures and concrete
are in high demand. It is expected that
Site Managers with interiors experience
will see demand increase this quarter as
we approach Christmas and retail fitouts
become a priority.
Within infrastructure there is a massive
need for experience Project Managers
with large structures experience.
Wellington needs mid to senior
level Project Managers, particularly
in interiors and commercial fit-out.
Qualified intermediate to senior Quantity
Surveyors with commercial construction
experience are sought too, as are Site
Managers with large-scale commercial
construction experience gained in New
Zealand, Australia or the UK. Candidates
must be well presented with good
communication skills for client-facing
roles.
In Christchurch Forepersons with the
ability to manage a site while also
working on the tools are in demand as
the commercial sector ramps up.
Site Managers are also needed in the
commercial sector as the number of
projects above $5 million increases.
Employers want a good Site Manager to
manage programs, sub-contractors and
the day-to-day running of the site. Health
and safety changes have also seen a large
portion of health and safety responsibility
fall to the Site Manager, which further
adds to demand.
Project Directors are sought too as larger,
more high profile projects commence
in Christchurch. These are usually rare
opportunities but overseas consultancies
as well as local tier 1 contractors are
currently interested in local candidates.
Candidate trends
Candidates often receive multiple
offers in response to current candidate
shortages. As a result employers need to
move quickly and be competitive in the
salary on offer if they are to secure their
preferred candidates.
We are also seeing an increase in the
number of candidates who have been
with a business for 10 to 12 years but are
now starting to look for a new role. These
candidates typically want a new job that
will provide them with career progression
or a cultural change.
To find an office near you visit:
hays.net.nz/office-locator
Go to hays.net.nz/report to see the
full list of hiring hotspots.
“Most regions of New Zealand are
experiencing increased residential
activity.”