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The Spinoff
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Spinoff
Yet again, not enough people are standing in local elections
With nominations for this year's local elections closing tomorrow, there are still plenty of spots on wards, boards and councils around the country that not a single person is keen to fill. A day out from nominations closing, it's looking like a decent chunk of this year's local body elections will not really be elections at all – candidates will be elected unopposed, or seats will be left empty. 'Electoral officers are saying that overall candidate nomination numbers are generally on par with the same time last election,' said LGNZ chief executive Susan Freeman-Greene on Tuesday. On par, in this case, means pretty bad – 20% of the 583 elections held in 2022 were uncontested. Nominations close at midday tomorrow, and while candidates have had since July 4 to get their paperwork completed, they tend to be a tardy bunch. 'We know from past elections that many candidates choose to wait until the final week to submit their nominations,' said Freeman-Greene. 'We strongly encourage candidates not to leave things to the last day, to allow time for information to be checked and any issues resolved.' LGNZ (Local Government New Zealand), the membership body for Aotearoa's councils, wants to see more people running because this should naturally lead to more people voting. 'Evidence tells us that the more candidates who contest a seat in an area, the higher the community's interest will be in that election from a voting perspective.' A number of councils have put out calls for more candidates to come forward, including Christchurch City – as of Wednesday morning, the Fendalton ward was yet to receive a single candidate, but by last night one had emerged. Rotorua District Council has taken a novel approach to attracting more candidates, listing the 19 elected member positions on Seek, reported the Rotorua Daily Post. 'No suit or political jargon required,' reads the listing. 'Just a genuine passion for our people and places.' Auckland Council has made a similar move, 'advertising' the positions on LinkedIn. Its nomination tally, updated on Wednesday morning, showed that – late flood of nominations notwithstanding – councillors for the Howick, Maungakiekie-Tāmaki and Rodney wards would be elected unopposed, as would members of various local boards. This year, 54 of the 77 councils holding elections have contracted to carry out election management services, and nominations for those councils are going live online as they land. As of last night, Rotorua was one of several councils where mayoral candidates looked set to have a cakewalk campaign ahead of them. Not a single nomination had been received for the position of mayor – though incumbent Tania Tapsell has indicated she will be standing again. In 2022 Tapsell had six competitors, so perhaps other candidates are also letting it go down to the wire. In Manawatū, meanwhile, as of last night current deputy mayor Michael Ford had no competitors in his quest for the chains (mayor Helen Worboys is not seeking reelection), while Hurunui mayor Marie Black will again be elected unopposed, as she was in 2022, unless some last-minute challengers get their nominations in quick-smart. Election Services, which has been contracted to run 22 local elections, provided The Spinoff with the tally of nominations as of 4pm yesterday. At that stage, no one had thrown their hat in the ring to take on current Ōpōtiki mayor David Moore, who had three challengers in 2022, nor Stratford mayor Neil Volzke, who was one of seven mayors elected unopposed last time. Current South Taranaki mayor Phil Nixon, who according to the Taranaki Daily News was the sole candidate earlier in the day on Wednesday, had a challenger by 4pm: Clem Coxhead. Over in Gisborne, meanwhile, current mayor Rehette Stoltz had no opponents as of 4pm (but Colin Alder could still make a late entrance). Up in the Far North, there was not a single nomination for mayor at 4pm – though last night Moko Tepania finally told social media followers he was keen for another term, so let's hope he's filling in those forms. What happens if there isn't a last-minute rush and we end up with more council positions than people keen to fill them? Those who have put their names forward will be automatically elected, and unfilled spots will be deemed ' extraordinary vacancies ', with a byelection held to fill them in the months following the local election. For councillor positions, if a first byelection doesn't lure anyone out of the woodwork, a second byelection will be held. For local or community board positions, if one byelection yields no joy, the board can appoint a member in any way they choose. One such byelection was held in 2022 for two extraordinary vacancies on the Taneātua Community Board, part of Whakatāne District Council. There were actually six people keen to fill the six vacancies at the time of the election, but two of them submitted their nominations on the final day, only for them to be rejected for being incomplete or incorrect. A cautionary tale, if ever there was one, to get your nominations in early – but as of 4pm on Wednesday, the Taneātua Community Board had just one candidate for its six positions.
ABC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
What is the state of your local basketball facility?
Wed 23 Jul 2025 at 1:00am Wednesday 23 Jul 2025 at 1:00am Wed 23 Jul 2025 at 1:00am Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Play Duration: 52 minutes 26 seconds 52 m
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Inside Economics: Why the job market feels worse than the numbers look
I think, sadly, we can expect that tone to remain for the next few months at least. Next week we'll get the official unemployment rate, based on the Stats NZ Household Labour Force (HLFS) survey. This week's data was part of a monthly series that Stats NZ produces by tracking payroll filings with the IRD. It's timely data, but often prone to revision. That big one for economists arrives next Wednesday with Stats NZ's quarterly labour market data release. That will include employment and unemployment statistics from the HLFS as well as wage data from the Labour Cost Index and the Quarterly Employment Survey. After seeing the monthly employment data this week, economists at BNZ and ANZ are expecting unemployment will land at 5.3% – up from 5.1% for the March quarter – and higher than the Reserve Bank's earlier forecast of 5.2%. As expected... It's probably worth remembering that none of this is a surprise. These numbers have been widely forecast by economists. In April last year, as the job market was starting to get tough, I wrote: 'Economists expect that there will be somewhere between 30,000 and 50,000 more unemployed people by this time next year.' 'Expectations are that we'll eventually see the unemployment rate peak between 5.1 and 5.7 per cent in this cycle.' And here we are. Hopefully, unemployment peaks soon, although based on the gloomy second quarter we've just had, it might not be until the end of the year. It's likely that it will peak at around 5.5% which, believe it or not, is in line with the historic average. Stats NZ's long-running Household Labour Force Survey shows the average rate has been 5.5% since 1986. The data reached an all-time high of 11.2% in September 1991 and a record low of 3.2% in March 2022. If it's just average, then why does it feel so bad? One issue is that we are coming off that record low in 2022. So the transition we're experiencing is intense, even if the endpoint isn't going to be historically unprecedented. The level of unemployment is also being flattered by the large number of Kiwis leaving the country or opting out of the workforce to return to study. The participation rate – the number of adults actively engaged in the job market – has fallen to around 70%, the lowest rate since 2020. Another factor that may be skewing the average is the number of underemployed people. The HLFS is very specific in its definition of unemployment. It only counts people who have worked no hours at all. Those who worked part-time but would like to work more hours are classified as underemployed. It seems likely that higher levels of underemployment are also flattering the topline unemployment rate. So while the official unemployment rate tends to get all the headlines, these other variables are important to factor in. Different measures Economists can also look to data from big recruitment firms like Seek. The number of published job ads is a good barometer of the labour market. June figures were released by Seek this week. BNZ economists noted that the trend in job ads had 'resumed its downward slide, declining another 1.2% in June'. Then there are the Ministry of Social Development's benefit numbers. They aren't looking too flash either. There was a total of 216,000 people on a Jobseeker benefit in June, up from 196,000 a year earlier. Confusingly, the Jobseeker benefit category now includes those we would have once called sickness beneficiaries, as well as those we'd call unemployed. When we strip out those with health conditions or disabilities, the total was 120,000, up from 114,000 in June 2024 and 99,000 in June 2023. Despite all the intricacies and variables of the different measures, one thing we can say with confidence is that the labour market does not look to be in good shape, and the trend is still getting worse. But the labour market is considered a 'lagging indicator' for the economy. In other words, it's about the last thing to turn in an economic cycle. On the way down, employment usually holds up well as the economy slows. Firms are reluctant to let good workers go, knowing how hard it can be to find staff when things get busy again. On the flip side, unemployment often peaks well after the economy has begun its recovery, as firms remain cautious about expanding and hiring new workers until they are confident that the upturn will be sustained. That perhaps offers some consolation as gloomy employment numbers continue to roll in over the next few months. It's always darkest before the dawn and all that... Bright spots Monday's job numbers weren't all bad. For starters, the monthly numbers were positive (just) at 0.1%. But economists weren't hugely impressed by that, given, these monthly figures tend to be revised down. Revisions to previous months contributed to the worse-than-expected annual result. More promising were figures that showed that the primary sector is creating jobs. The sector had its largest month-on-month rise, at 0.9%, since 2023. As Informetrics economist Matthew Allman noted: 'emerging trends in filled jobs seem to match broader trends we have been seeing in the economic recovery, with better export earnings boosting the primary sector'. But the flow-on effects are yet to hit other areas of the economy, such as manufacturing and services industries, he said. That's creating a regional divide too, as southern regions benefit from the agricultural export boom. Southland, in particular, has experienced solid job growth in recent months. Here's hoping some of that positivity flows north. The biggest hit to employment in the past year has been in the construction sector. Compared to the previous year to June, construction lost 12,169 jobs (down 6%). It's not surprising Auckland's economy is struggling. Trump's tariff deadline looms Donald Trump's big tariff deadline is looming large this week and somewhat predictably threatens to rattle markets, which have been on something of a bull run in the past few weeks. It passes on Friday (Saturday NZT). President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting at Trump Turnberry golf club on July 27, 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland. U.S. President Donald Trump is visiting his Trump Turnberry golf course, as well as Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, during a brief visit to Scotland from July 25 to 29. Photo / Getty Images The US has now done deals with Japan, the UK, Europe, and it looks to have some kind of truce with China, so that should help ease concerns. There's also a likelihood of further deadline extensions if it looks like markets are seriously melting down. Donald Trump has shown over the past few months that he is prepared to push things to the brink but will do what he has to avoid a major crash – even if that leaves him looking like he has backed down. But the deadline remains a wildcard in a week of big economic news for the US. Economists estimate that the US will likely end up with a baseline average tariff of around 15-20%. Markets seem to have accepted that so far. But, while that is an improvement over the shock and awe of Trump's Liberation Day proclamations, it still represents a major setback to global trade. We're also still waiting to see what the real-world effects of the tariffs will be. So far, the impact on US inflation has been muted. On the one hand, that is promising. Perhaps the tariffs won't be as economically damaging as everyone expected. On the other hand, the delays and deals we're yet to see the full impact of the tariffs and the positive early signs might just embolden Trump to push a bit harder. We'll also get an interest rate decision from the US Federal Reserve on Wednesday in the US (Thursday NZT). It is not expected to cut rates, which means we can probably expect some fireworks as the President makes it clear what he thinks of that. The US also gets jobs data and GDP data this week. So all up it's looking like a big week for markets as they try to unpick the state of the United States. Liam Dann is business editor-at-large for the New Zealand Herald. He is a senior writer and columnist, and also presents and produces videos and podcasts. He joined the Herald in 2003. To sign up to my weekly newsletter, click on your user profile at and select 'My newsletters'. For a step-by-step guide, click here. If you have a burning question about the quirks or intricacies of economics send it to or leave a message in the comments section.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Tiny detail on job advertisement exposes huge problem of trying to land an entry-level role: 'I fell into this trap'
Young Aussies have vented their frustration at having to compete with hundreds of other applicants for entry-level jobs that are paying just $50,000 per year. A disgruntled Reddit user posted a screenshot of a listing for a Level 1 Helpdesk Technician that had been posted on job website Seek. The advertisement drew 919 applications, with the Perth-based role offering between $50,000 and $65,000 a year. 'About three years ago, when I decided my career and studies, all you heard about was how IT was booming in Australia and you could land a good job with just a TAFE course,' the Reddit user wrote. 'I just feel like I fell into this trap.' The user, who said they are a recent graduate from a TAFE IT Advanced Diploma, said 'trying to land an entry level job seems almost impossible at the moment'. 'I never took for granted that just the diploma would give me a job, and always did self study, projects, and tried to do networking with people in the industry,' they said. 'But this is just the bare minimal in these days. I just wonder if I'm doing something wrong or the market is just cooked as it seems.' An Aussie with a TAFE IT Advanced Diploma shared the horror of seeing more than 900 people applying for just one entry level role on the job website SEEK Social media users leapt into the comments to offer some anecdotal insight into why there were so many applications. 'From a recruitment perspective, most of those applications are either from bots or from overseas applications hoping for a visa,' one said. Another recruiter related to the situation: 'As someone who has advertised for a similar position recently and received about 480 applicants - this is the answer. 'Out of those applicants at least 50 per cent are either overseas or visa limited applicants wanting sponsorship. 'Of the remaining 50 per cent, another 20 per cent are eastern states based... but don't mention anything about either having relocated or that they plan to relocate etc. 'Of the remaining 30 per cent another 15 per are just straight-up applying for the sake of meeting Centrelink requirements,' they said, using the example of a hairdresser with a cover page looking for hair dressing positions applying for an IT position. They said that, among the remaining 15 per cent, ten per cent are not suitable, and then of the final five per cent, some had invalid contact details or did not respond. Others said they had also struggled to find a job due to the high competition. 'Why me, with ten years' experience and living in smack dead centre of Perth, who has applied for over hundreds of jobs over the past two years, haven't been able to land a job?' one wrote. Another added: 'Getting the first job in IT after Tafe is the difficult one. After that, it's easy to find work.' Another woman highlighted how the same issue was being experienced across the ditch in New Zealand, after revealing in a TikTok video the staggering number of competitors she had to compete with to land a job. On the first page listing her applications, some jobs had up to 830 people also submitting their details for the role. The former government employee said she had applied for a range of job sectors, including work in hospitality, retail, office administration, and warehouse roles. Two days later, the Christchurch local took to TikTok again to say the most popular job now had 865 applicants, but that she had managed to get an interview for it. Hundreds of sympathetic social media users commented on the first video, sharing their own woes when job hunting. 'I must have applied for 100 jobs and had five interviews before I got my job. it's rough.. good luck,' one said. Another said: 'Two years unemployed in Australia here... it's REALLY bad... there's just so many people and so little work.' New LinkedIn research, based on a survey of 1,080 employed Australians by Pure Profile between May 30 and June 5, revealed that 60 per cent of Australians say they are missing out on relevant roles. The reason was not due to a lack of skills, but because they said they are overwhelmed by outdated job search tools and unclear job titles. At least 44 per cent said they feel burnt out from searching for jobs online. The unemployment rate reached 4.3 per cent in June, which was the highest since November 2021, as states and cities emerged from Covid lockdowns. The number of full-time jobs fell by 38,000, while 40,000 part-time jobs were created in June, signalling a sharp drop in working hours. LinkedIn's Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, Matt Tindale, said 'today's job search can feel limited by rigid filters and predefined boxes'. 'Mid-year is a natural time for professionals to pause and reflect on their careers – to reassess their goals and consider roles that truly inspire them,' he said.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Job ads fall for a second month
The mid-year economic slowdown appears to be weighing on the job market with job advertisements falling for a second month. Data from employment website Seek NZ showed job ads fell 3% in June from a month earlier, and 3% lower than a year ago. Applications per job ad - recorded with a one-month lag - were down 2% monthly. It comes as various economic datasets point to the country's economic recovery stalling in the middle of the year. Seek country manager Rob Clark said job ad levels remained broadly flat for the past year. "While the volume remains below pre-Covid levels, there are pockets of growth, which should be cause for some optimism," he said. Job ad volumes were mixed across the regions, with Gisborne, Marlborough and Southland the only regions to see month-on-month growth in June. In Auckland and Canterbury, volumes fell 2% in June, while Wellington fell 4%. Otago was flat, while Waikato fell 4%. The only industry to see an increase in volumes was Information & Communication Technology, with more demand for ICT managers and networks & systems administrators. "Despite a monthly dip in June, demand within government and defence has jumped 51% year-on-year, and we're seeing a growing number of industries return to annual growth within the professional and consumer services sectors," Clark said.
