It has been a tough year for job seekers, with unemployment creeping upward and many people spending months searching for work. But employment experts say some roles remain “recession-proof,” offering more stability despite the weakening economy, RNZ reported.
According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, job advertisements fell 7.6 per cent in the year to the June quarter, an improvement on the 21.7 per cent drop recorded in the previous quarter. Ads for healthcare and primary industries, however, were among the few categories to rise.
Recruiters say demand is holding firm in several areas. Seek reported last week that the most advertised roles included sales account managers (3533 listings), business development managers (just over 2500), accountants (just over 2300), and electricians (just over 2100). Nurses, support workers, administration staff, sales assistants, and chefs were also in high demand, as reported by RNZ.
According to RNZ, Seek’s senior economist, Blair Chapman, said demographic pressures would continue to fuel hiring, especially in healthcare. “With an estimated 7.5 per cent of Kiwis now over the age of 75, and another 9 per cent over 65, support workers and nurses are likely to remain in demand as the need for care grows,” he said.
Tourism recovery is also boosting hospitality jobs. “We’ve seen a lift in visitor numbers, particularly from Australia, which is helping drive demand for chefs and retail workers,” Chapman added, as quoted by RNZ.
Hayley Pickard, managing director of Fortitude Group, said healthcare and aged care jobs consistently remained strong, alongside technology and education. But she noted that construction, engineering, and manufacturing had slowed under economic pressures, RNZ reported
Other resilient sectors may come as a surprise. Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan said utilities and mining had historically weathered downturns.
“Households and businesses will always need electricity, water, and telecommunications. Likewise, mining tends to continue operating even in weak economies, particularly when global demand for commodities like gold or coal stays strong,” he explained, RNZ quoted.
Kiernan added that healthcare, social assistance, and education were among the least affected by economic cycles. In fact, downturns can increase demand for tertiary education as more young people delay entering a weak job market.
Parts of agriculture and food manufacturing also hold up if export demand remains solid, while central government roles, though affected by cutbacks, are still relatively stable compared to the private sector.
Despite today’s challenging climate, some employers are cautiously optimistic. Pickard said confidence was beginning to build again. “I’m slowly noticing clients with an optimistic outlook for 2026. Many want to weather 2025, keep the lights on, and then look to the future with renewed confidence,” she said, reported RNZ.
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