Background Information
Key Labour Market Indicators
The table below summarises the key indicators for the labour market in North Canterbury and is taken from the Census 2006 as being the most up to date figures at this time. Selwyn district has also been incuded in this information as it is within easy commuting distance for North Canterbury.
| Hurunui | Waimakariri | Selwyn | Canterbury | New Zealand | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employed | 5,697 | 22,029 | 19,035 | 269, 694 | 1,985,775 |
| Unemployed | 129 | 684 | 450 | 11,109 | 106,500 |
| Labour Force | 5,826 | 22,713 | 19,485 | 280,803 | 2,092,275 |
| Not in the Labour force | 2,181 | 9,768 | 5,916 | 130,089 | 961,785 |
| Labour Force Participation Rate | 72.8% | 69.9% | 76.7% | 68.3% | 68.5% |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 3.0% | 2.3% | 4.0% | 5.1% |
| Working Age Population* | 8,007 | 32,481 | 25,401 | 410,892 | 3,054,060 |
* Working Age Population data soes not include people who did not specify their labour force status (Work and Labour Force Status not further Defined).
As the information shows, the labour force participation rates for both Hurunui and Waimakariri are both above the levels for Canterbury and New Zealand. This is based on the proportion of the working age population (15 years and over) who are either employed or unemployed at the time the data is collected.
The table also shows that unemployment figures for both Hurunui and Waimakariri are below the rates for Canterbury and New Zealand. Although the figures will have changed in recent times, we anticipate that the overall trend remains the same.
Quarterly Regional Labour Market Update
These surveys are a joint initiative between Department of Labour and the Ministry of Social Development. They are conducted each quarter following the release of latest Household Labour Force Survey from Statistics New Zealand and the information is provided on both a national and regional level.
The regional reports convey key labour market information on twelve regions of New Zealand. They include annual trends in unemployment rates, labour force participation rates, and employment rates from Statistics New Zealand’s Household Labour Force Survey, along with benefit figures from the Ministry of Social Development’s beneficiary records.
Click Here for the latest surveys
Skills Shortage Lists
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) prepare lists of Long term and short tems skills shortages for New Zealand. These lists are used by INZ when assessing immigration applications. INZ update these shortage lists twice each year. Click here to view the most recent skills shortage list.