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Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Record numbers of people chasing dwindling number of jobs
File photo - NZ job ads fall 2 percent in May on April, according to Seek NZ's employment report - Adverts were down 8 percent on a year ago - the slowest annual decline in more than two years - Applications per job ad rose 2 percent on April to a record high - Monthly salary growth 0.6 percent, annual rate 2.4 percent Record numbers of people are chasing a dwindling number of jobs, while wage rises are barely keeping pace with inflation, according to Seek. The online employment platform's May monthly report showed a fall in the number of jobs advertised, albeit at the slowest rate in more than two years. Seek country manager Rob Clark said the employment market felt like it was bumping along the bottom of the cycle, and while things were not getting better they were also not getting appreciably worse. "The comfort we can take is that we were seeing quite steady declines and now we're seeing a period of some stable results what most people are looking for are some signs of an improvement, but we're not really seeing any signs of that at the moment." Three regions had a rise in job adverts, with Wellington up 2 percent for the year ended May, its first rise in more than two years, Taranaki volumes rose 6 percent, and Southland up 1 percent, which were partly offset by sizeable falls in Auckland, Otago and Manawatū. Most industries recorded fewer adverts, but healthcare and medical, community services, and consulting had solid rises, while consumer facing industries gave up recent gains, and information and technology had a sharp contraction. Clark said the increase in consulting jobs might point to the use of short-term roles to fill specific gaps without having to hire full-time staff. Salaries edged higher in the three months ended May, but on an annual basis the growth slowed to pre-Covid levels of 2.4 percent, just below the rate of inflation. "When we have what is called a candidate-long market - more candidates than opportunities - then we typically see a slowdown in salary growth and that's exactly what we're seeing," Clark said. "Overall we have a market that remains very subdued, but it's not getting any worse, but it's not getting any better at a rapid rate either."
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
SEEK Employment Report
According to the latest SEEK NZ Employment Report, job ads fell 2% in May, seasonally adjusted, following two months of growth. Job ads are now 8% lower y/y which is the slowest rate of decline since November 2022, indicating a moderation of the steep declines of the past two years. Applications per job ad have peaked again, rising 2% m/m, making for an extremely high level of competition among candidates for the job ads on offer. There were small pockets of growth in the Public Service and Professional Services sectors in May. Healthcare & Medical and Community Services & Development were the largest industries to record job ad growth in May, rising 3% and 2% respectively m/m. Three regions recorded monthly job ad growth in May: Taranaki (6%), Wellington (2%) and Southland (1%). Wellington is the only one of the larger regions where job ads have grown y/y (2%), the first annual rise in two-and-a-half years. SEEK Country Manager Rob Clark says: 'The trend data tells a clear picture and that is one of flat ad volumes for the past eight months. After close to two years of near uninterrupted decline between 2022 and 2024, this shows that volumes have stabilised and are even beginning to see some pockets of growth. Wellington, which was particularly impacted by falling demand toward the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, has recorded broad growth in ad volumes over the past eleven months. It was one of only three regions where job ads rose month-on-month, along with Southland and Taranaki. While the decline in demand for workers has slowed, candidate appetite has not abated in the same way, rising to the highest on record again this month.' *Applications per job ad are recorded with a one-month lag. Data shown in this report refers to April data. SEEK Advertised Salary Index - Quarterly to May 2025 The quarterly SEEK NZ Advertised Salary Index (ASI) measures the growth in advertised salaries for jobs posted on SEEK in New Zealand. This report examines national trends up to the quarter ending May 2025. Advertised salary growth rose by 0.6% q/q in the quarter to May, while annual advertised salary growth slowed to 2.4% y/y in May, with the rate of decline for annual growth slowing. SEEK Country Manager Rob Clark says: 'Annual average advertised salary growth continues to slow, despite faster growth in the most recent quarter. Average annual growth across the Rest of the South Island has picked up in the most recent quarter, likely driven by notable employment growth in Otago which has added a lot of jobs over the past year. Around half of all industries are seeing their average advertised salaries growing faster than inflation, which is good news for job seekers in these industries.'
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Record numbers of people chasing a dwindling number of jobs
Job ads on Seek have fallen by 2 percent in May on April. (File photo) Photo: 123rf Record numbers of people are chasing a dwindling number of jobs, while wage rises are barely keeping pace with inflation, according to Seek. The online employment platform's May monthly report showed a fall in the number of jobs advertised, albeit at the slowest rate in more than two years. Seek country manager Rob Clark said the employment market felt like it was bumping along the bottom of the cycle, and while things were not getting better they were also not getting appreciably worse. "The comfort we can take is that we were seeing quite steady declines and now we're seeing a period of some stable results what most people are looking for are some signs of an improvement, but we're not really seeing any signs of that at the moment." Three regions had a rise in job adverts, with Wellington up 2 percent for the year ended May, its first rise in more than two years, Taranaki volumes rose 6 percent, and Southland up 1 percent, which were partly offset by sizeable falls in Auckland, Otago and Manawatū. Most industries recorded fewer adverts, but healthcare and medical, community services, and consulting had solid rises, while consumer facing industries gave up recent gains, and information and technology had a sharp contraction. Clark said the increase in consulting jobs might point to the use of short term roles to fill specific gaps without having to hire full time staff. Salaries edged higher in the three months ended May, but on an annual basis the growth slowed to pre-Covid levels of 2.4 percent, just below the rate of inflation. "When we have what is called a candidate-long market - more candidates than opportunities - then we typically see a slowdown in salary growth and that's exactly what we're seeing," Clark said. "Overall we have a market that remains very subdued, but it's not getting any worse, but it's not getting any better at a rapid rate either." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: New look Māori All Blacks prepare for challenges home and away
Kurt Eklund will captain the Māori All Blacks. Photo: Photosport The Māori All Blacks have a new captain and 11 uncapped players for two matches against the Japan XV in Tokyo and Scotland in Whangārei. Hooker Kurt Eklund (Ngāti Kahu) in his first time as Māori All Blacks captain will lead a 29-strong squad that includes new caps, which range from 20-year-old Blues midfielder Xavi Taele, the youngest member of the squad, to 31-year-old Gisborne-born, Taranaki prop Jared Proffit. Head coach Ross Filipo said 32-year-old Aucklander Eklund was the right fit for captain. "This team demands a strong leader with mana, and Kurt has shown that quality and more over a long period of time, for the Māori All Blacks, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and the Blues. He has a lot of experience throughout the squad and that will be a strength for what will be two tough matches." Māori Rugby board member Rob Clark (Waikato, Ngāti Tiipa) said the team and the board had a role in protecting the kaupapa and the identity of Māori rugby. "Māori rugby is the vehicle we use to express our indigenous identity. It holds the health and wellbeing of our people at the forefront, following in the pathways that have been paved before us and those that will follow. This team allows us to express our kaupapa to the world, to inspire all people and protect the taonga that is rugby in Aotearoa." The squad has assembled in Auckland to begin their campaign preparations before leaving for Japan on 25 June. The game againt the Japan XV in Tokyo is on 28 June and Scotland in Whangarei on 5 July. (iwi, province, Super Rugby club) * denotes new cap Props: Benet Kumeroa (Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs) Jared Proffit* (Ngāti Porou/Taranaki/Chiefs) Pouri Rakete-Stones (Ngāpuhi/Hawke's Bay/Hurricanes) Kershawl Sykes-Martin* (Ngāti Porou/Tasman/Crusaders) Mason Tupaea* (Ngaati Tiipa, Ngaati Amaru/Waikato/Blues) Hookers: Jacob Devery* (Te Aitanga a Mahaki/Hawke's Bay/Hurricanes) Kurt Eklund (Ngāti Kahu/Bay of Plenty/Blues) Locks: Zach Gallagher* (Te Ātiawa/Canterbury/Hurricanes) Laghlan McWhannell (Ngāti Kahungunu/Waikato/Blues) Antonio Shalfoon* (Whakatōhea/Tasman/Crusaders) Isaia Walker-Leawere (Ngāti Porou/Hawke's Bay/Hurricanes) Loose forwards: Nikora Broughton (Ngārauru, Ngāti Ruanui/Bay of Plenty/Highlanders) Jahrome Brown* (Ngāti Porou/Waikato/Chiefs) Caleb Delany (Ngāti Tūwharetoa/Wellington/Hurricanes) Cullen Grace (Ngāti Whakaue/Canterbury/Crusaders) Te Kamaka Howden (Tūhoe/Manawatū/Highlanders) Halfbacks: Kemara Hauiti-Parapara* (Ngāi Tai, Ngāti Porou/Auckland) Sam Nock (Ngāpuhi/Northland/Blues) First five-eighths: Rivez Reihana (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Hine/Northland/Crusaders) Kaleb Trask (Ngāpuhi/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs) Midfield: Corey Evans (Te Aupouri, Ngāti Kahu/Northland/Blues) Bailyn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu/Waikato/Hurricanes) Daniel Rona (Te Ātiawa/Taranaki/Chiefs) Xavi Taele* (Ngāi Tahu/Auckland/Blues) Gideon Wrampling* (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine/Waikato/Chiefs) Outside Backs: Cole Forbes (Ngāti Awa/Bay of Plenty/Blues) Jonah Lowe (Ngāti Pikiao/Hawke's Bay/Highlanders) Zarn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu/Hawke's Bay/Blues) Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
The Guardian
12-02-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Innovation, not invention, may be the answer to the impatience economy
The impatience economy has forced businesses to accelerate development cycles. While crucial to meet demand, this isn't sustainable By Rob Clark, chief operating officer for Epson Europe In today's fast-paced, instant-gratification culture the 'impatience economy' has emerged as a defining characteristic of modern business and consumer behaviour. We're no longer willing to wait. With attention spans shrinking and expectations rising, businesses are under pressure to deliver faster, more unique solutions. It's led to a cycle of research, development, invention and delivery in order to meet demand. Yet this response isn't sustainable. Sustainable shortcuts But opportunity may lie in refining and improving existing ideas rather than reinventing the wheel. This approach–innovating within established frameworks–can drive significant advancements, offering businesses the ability to rapidly respond to market demands and stay ahead of competitors, all while minimising the risks and resources associated with starting from scratch. Nasa has been a pioneer of this approach for years through its Spinoff programme. Successful technologies initially developed for space exploration have been repurposed for other applications, making the most of existing research and development. For example, memory foam started life as a material to cushion test pilots during flights. It's now found in beds, furniture and clothing worldwide. Making ideas go further Epson has also embraced this approach to innovation, making ideas go as far as possible. Back in 1969, it pioneered the use of crystals within the design and development of accurate time keeping and watches – a solution still used by many watch manufacturers throughout the world. Epson learnt from this success and considered how the use of crystals could meet other needs. Crystals are still grown by Epson, one of only a few companies in the world to do so, and used in numerous Epson technologies from sensors to printheads. Interactive This approach has worked in other areas of the business too. In 2010, Epson's technology development team saw that printed materials holding confidential information were often disposed of inefficiently, incurring security risks as well as high costs for outsourcing, while wasting huge volumes of water in the recycling process. Epson developed a solution that would close the resource loop and stop the need for confidential documents being taken off-site. Enter PaperLab, and at its core, Epson Dry Fibre Technology. This process breaks down used paper into pulp before producing new paper from these fibres using virtually no water. PaperLab was the world's first dry process office papermaking system. And while a new invention, has gone on to be innovated for additional uses. With PaperLab in place, Epson applied Dry Fibre Technology to waste clothing. This led to a dry recycling prototype that can break down used fabric before recombining it to create new materials for the fashion industry. It has also applied its Dry Fibre technology to projects looking to accelerate and widen the use and application of recycled plastics. But this is a project not undertaken alone. Open innovation To bolster the idea of reusing ideas for new uses, Epson engages in what it calls 'open innovation'. This rests on the premise that valuable ideas and insights can originate from anywhere, not just within a single company. Therefore, Epson has strategically positioned itself to engage in partnerships across the globe. This allows it to respond quickly to a wide range of demands. Epson's innovation centre located at the Hirooka office in Japan. Photograph: Epson One example is Epson's DX Innovation activity. The vision? To collaborate with partners worldwide, harnessing the capabilities of technologies and products to craft tailored solutions that meet both established and emerging needs. Epson's collaboration isn't limited to inter-corporate partnerships. The business is working with a diverse range of stakeholders, from startups to industry giants, government entities to academia, to enable creativity and technological advancement to address increasing demands from customers and society in general. Joint research between Epson and Tohoku University is one such collaboration. It's investigating the use of fibre-reinforced plastics, using Epson's Dry Fibre Technology. Recycled plastics often have lower mechanical strength and durability compared to new plastics, which limits their use to certain applications. This research aims to further the development of composite plastics using defibrated cellulose or fabric to widen the suitability and use of recycled plastics. Getting ahead To meet the challenges of the impatience economy, in which we all increasingly demand instant gratification and immediate solutions to problems, reusing ideas and inviting open innovation offer a more sustainable solution. We are only going to become more impatient, and the threat to the environment is only going to grow. It's time to get ahead of both and look for solutions that already exist. To learn more about Epson's approach to innovation, visit: Innovation | Epson United Kingdom | Epson United Kingdom This content is paid for and supplied by the advertiser. Find out more with our
