Taranaki leads the way in jobs growth

If you’re looking for a job then Taranaki is the place to go, with the highest percentage of employment growth in the country.

Statistics New Zealand’s seasonallyadjusted employment figures show there was a 7.1 per cent jump in the number of people employed in the region in the year to the September 2018 quarter, a rise of 4300 jobs.

The figures also showed that New Zealand is currently experiencing the lowest rate of unemployment since June 2008, dropping to 3.9 per cent.

Chief executive of the Taranaki Chambers of Commerce Arun Chaudhari said he had noticed a growth in employment in the region during the last quarter and that the region was thriving.

‘‘Trade Me stats for new job listings have gone up from an average of 950 in Taranaki to 1430; so that’s a great reflection of how there are more jobs in Taranaki.’’

He said that although the growth was strong now, the region may not the see growth continue throughout the next quarter because of the time of year.

‘‘There will be a lot of students coming back at the end of the year, which will be flooding the market a bit. So we might not see the same kind of growth over the next quarter.’’

But not everyone is seeing the benefits. Owner of new Oakura restaurant Lemonwood Eatery, Barbara OlsenHenderson, said she was surprised Taranaki had a high employment percentage, as she had struggled to find employees.

The restaurant was meant to open in October but a number of things, including struggling to fill the 12 roles needed in the eatery, pushed the opening out to November.

‘‘For the manager’s role I couldn’t get anyone that was experienced, except for someone who had worked for me in the past, but he’s English so we had to get a visa for him,’’ she said.

She believes that, because the unemployment rate is so low, it is becoming harder for businesses to fill jobs.

‘‘I just could not get experienced people.’’

New Plymouth MP Jonathan Young said that it was great to see a ‘‘positive pick up’’ but doubted it would continue to grow after the The Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill was passed in Parliament last week. The bill will end future offshore oil and gas exploration.

The industry provides 4000 direct jobs and 3000 indirect jobs, Young said.

Labour MP Andrew Little said that he did not believe the passing of the bill would have a negative effect on employment in the region.

‘‘I don’t expect that, and if anything the opposite in the short term because there hasn’t been a summer drilling campaign the last two seasons. There is going to be one this year that will add job prospects in the region,’’ he said.

‘‘We know that the permits are still alive and open, there’s 30 to 40 years more drilling and production alternatives available.

‘‘I think the long term prospects for Taranaki are very good. We also know that particularly out of the metropolitan areas there are people looking for other places to settle in New Zealand, Taranaki is a very attractive option.’’