There has been an increase in filled jobs during the last quarter in the construction industry as well as related industries like architectural and engineering services.

The scientific, technical and professional services industry also showed an increase.

Filled jobs in the June quarter rose by 0.7 per cent or almost 15,000 jobs, compared with the March 2021 quarter, Stats NZ says.

Filled jobs in the seasonally adjusted, tax-based series rose to 2.12 million, excluding working proprietors.

The largest increase came from the construction industry, where filled jobs rose 2.2 per cent or about 3700 jobs from the March 2021 quarter.

The professional, scientific, and technical services industry had the second largest increase, up 1.4 per cent or 2300 jobs.

'Along with the increase in filled jobs in the construction industry there were also increases in supporting industries, such as architectural and engineering services,” says business insights manager Sue Chapman.

Construction has been the industry with the strongest growth in jobs since the Covid-19 pandemic began – up 7.0 per cent when compared with the March 2020 quarter (seasonally adjusted).

The June 2021 quarter business financial data release showed that seasonally adjusted sales in the construction industry increased by 5.5 per cent ($1.0 billion) in the March 2021 quarter and then by a further 1.6 per cent ($326 million) in the June quarter.

'The rise in construction jobs reflects the increase in demand for construction experienced since the start of 2021,” says Sue.

The recent strength of the construction industry was also reflected in the value of building work put in place, up 5.3 per cent in the June quarter, following a 5.5 per cent rise in the March quarter (seasonally adjusted).

Auckland jobs continue to improve in June 2021 quarter

While job and earnings growth were positive on average for New Zealand, the North Island performed more strongly, with the exception of the Wellington region which had about 0.5 per cent or 1250 fewer jobs than last quarter.

Filled jobs in Auckland increased by 1.0 per cent (6,830 jobs) in the June quarter, after accounting for seasonal patterns.

This follows a quarterly rise of 0.6 per cent in March, however filled jobs in Auckland have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, after starting to fall in June 2020.