Job growth and lifestyle options
FROM heading out with your fishing rod after work to catch dinner in the Sounds, to family weekends exploring the beaches, vineyards and mountains, Marlborough offers truly amazing lifestyle possibilities.
And there’s never been a better time to experience it than now. With low unemployment and a tight labour market across a diverse, growing range of industries, great transport links - but no traffic lights - and a competitive housing market, opportunity abounds for those looking for that all-important work/life balance, and options and flexibility to achieve their goals.
It’s a region full of innovators with a number of significant projects in the pipeline.
The range of opportunities puts those who want to come to Marlborough to work and enjoy this fantastic lifestyle in a great position. With ample choice, there is a higher chance of finding that dream job alongside a brilliant lifestyle, and plenty of open doors for the future.
Job listing growth best in NZ
Data from Trade Me for the three months ended June showed wages are continuing to climb as employers fight to secure talent, but there are signs the job market is stabilising. Nationwide average salaries increased by 2% year-on-year, to reach $66,016.
The number of jobs listed on the website fell 5% compared with the same period last year.
The strongest job listing growth was in Marlborough.
Tourism led the growth in job vacancies, up 7%, along with healthcare which was up 4%.
The biggest drop in job listings was in construction and roading, down 16%, followed by agriculture, fishing and forestry, down 13%, compared to the same time last year.
In terms of salaries, Marlborough again led the way in year-on-year salary increases for the second quarter.
House prices ease
The REINZ’s latest figures indicate that an easing of price growth is evident in the Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman regions which saw median price increases of 7%, 8.5% and 1% to $750,000, $705,000 and $848,000 respectively.
Agents in Marlborough say multioffers are starting to return while post-harvest in Marlborough saw more people attend open homes, but the number of auctions slow.
Compared to May 2021, sales counts decreased in Marlborough and Tasman but increased by 4.5% in Nelson.
Agents say that buyers’ lack of urgency has contributed to this, coupled with tightened lending criteria slowing the purchase process.
In it’s most recent report REINZ stated: ‘‘First home buyers are scarce, and despite the Government’s Budget announcement in May which increased the First Home Grant caps, agents say there is still not enough stock available within these new price caps. Agents predict that this winter will be slower than usual due to market headwinds.’’
Major boost for exporters
One of the big projects coming soon to the region is an inland cargo hub south of Blenheim, being built by Port Marlborough and Wellington’s CentrePort.
A 31-hectare site at Riverlands, south of Blenheim, adjacent to the State Highway 1 and the main rail line, was purchased by the ports in December 2021. Located between Riverlands Industrial Estate, Cloudy Bay Business Park and Riverlands Roadhouse Truckstop, the hub will be built over the next 18 to 24 months.
Seven hectares of the site will be used for the cargo hub with the rest to be utilised to create economic development for Marlborough.
The development will bring major benefits for Marlborough exporters and importers, and the region’s community and economy.
The shipping industry wants a reliable, resilient, and competitive supply chain which is what this partnership promises to deliver, helping local businesses grow and benefiting the region’s economy. There is also very strong demand from exporters in the region looking for a new service to get their freight to market.
Marlborough says yes to YES
Funded by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), the Youth Employment Success (YES) programme is a community-based initiative the helps young people ages 16 to 24 to connect with local employers via an online platform. Launched in Dunedin in 2016, the YES programme was introduced in Marlborough last year.
YES asks employers to offer mentoring, employment, work experience, support and advice to young people to help them better understand the world of work.
The opportunities could include work placements, paid or unpaid internships, employer presentations at school assemblies, skills assessments, NCEA assessments, CV reviews, coffee dates, mock interviews, mentoring, part-time or full-time work, business walkthroughs, career advice, work experience and work shadowing.
The YES platform brings young people into direct contact with employers, building relationships and confidence.
About 130 opportunities are currently offered on the YES platform by regional employers such as Port Marlborough.
This year Port Marlborough has employed a new mechanical engineering apprentice, a new engineering cadet and works with a forestry student.
During the summer it also takes on university students for two engineering intern positions and around four or five marina interns.