Third of NZ jobs to be automated in 20 years

Almost a third of New Zealand jobs will be automated by 2036, new research shows, prompting calls for a strategy to prevent a repeat of the unemployment rates seen in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Infometrics estimated 31 per cent of jobs will become automated, with the majority being lower-skilled positions in industries such as agriculture, forestry, manufacturing and the service sector.

This was likely to affect Maori and Pasifika more than others, and the data suggested regions would be more affected by automation than centres like Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Tauranga.

Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan said workers needed to be better equipped for the future.

“Workers will require increasing access to skills-based training as the workplace continues to rapidly evolve,” Mr Kiernan said.

“Too often people are entering the workforce without all the skills required to make an immediate contribution. It is imperative that the content in tertiary education courses is relevant for the workplace.”

He said the government and tertiary institutes needed to develop a national skills strategy. “Appropriate planning and innovation in the education sector over the next 20 years will give all New Zealanders the chance to benefit from the economic transformation that is under way.”