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Person injured in dog attack in Timaru

Source: Radio New Zealand

Emergency Services were called to Andrew Street at about 8.30pm Saturday. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

A person has been injured after a dog attack in Timaru.

Emergency services were called to Andrew Street in the suburb of Marchwiel about 8.30pm Saturday.

The person had suffered injuries to their hand from a dog bite.

Hato Hone St John confirmed it had sent an ambulance to the scene.

“Our crew assessed and treated one patient who was transported to Timaru hospital in a moderate condition,” a spokesperson said.

Animal Control was also in attendance.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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RNZ – Government defends homeless move on orders as opposition slams them for being ‘cruel’

Source: Radio New Zealand

The government has confirmed it will give police powers to issue move-on notices. Nick Monro

The government insists move-on orders are just one tool in the toolkit, as it seeks to curb anti-social behaviour and rough sleeping in city and town centres across New Zealand.

Opposition parties have slammed the proposal, however, describing it as “cruel” and “despicable.”

The government has confirmed it will give police powers to issue move-on notices.

The notices will apply for disorderly or threatening behaviour, as well as for begging or rough sleeping.

It will be left to the individual officer to decide exactly how long the order lasts, with a limit of 24 hours, the distance the person needs to move away from, and what support the person needs, if any.

Officers will have to make it clear to the individual that a breach will be an offence, with maximum penalties of fines up to $2000, or up to three months imprisonment.

At the announcement, justice minister Paul Goldsmith insisted the government was not criminalising homelessness.

“What we’re criminalising is a refusal to follow a move-on order,” he said.

Justice minister Paul Goldsmith. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Goldsmith said a ‘reasonable distance’ would mean different things in different parts of the country, and denied it would simply shift the problem elsewhere.

“If you’re told to move on and you go up the road and you start doing the same behaviours again, well then you’ll be subject to another move-on order until the message gets through that society doesn’t tolerate these activities.”

Police minister Mark Mitchell said police use discretion “thousands of times a week,” and there was a range of options available to them.

He said the move-on orders filled a “gap” in the police response.

Police minister Mark Mitchell. RNZ / Mark Papalii

“We’ve got something that will formalise it, that will actually hopefully get them engaging with those services and actually fix those issues, and at the same time we won’t have people living on our streets. I don’t think any fair-minded Kiwi in our country wants to see people out living on our streets.”

Mitchell said the “default setting” would be to work with someone, to try and find whether the solution was a health, mental health, or housing response.

But some simply did not want to listen to police.

“Many of the people that choose to come in and set up and live on the streets and cause the social problems that we see are also vulnerable themselves.”

Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown said he had met with non-government organisations and government agencies across Auckland, as well as the council, to see what actions could be taken to improve safety.

Welcomed by business

Auckland’s central business association Heart of the City had lobbied for social and economic needs to be addressed, and while there had been improvements, anti-social behaviour continued to cause concern.

Its chief executive Viv Beck said she was pleased the government had “listened” in terms of bringing in additional police, a new downtown police station, a housing and outreach ‘action plan,’ and now the move-on orders.

Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck. Supplied / HOTC

Beck said Auckland was an “aspirational city,” which meant ensuring people were housed and looked after.

“This is another, if you like, another tool in the kit to be able to ensure that we are really ready to capitalise on now, after ten years of disruption for a whole variety of reasons, that our city can actually grow, we can continue to attract investment, and that we’re aspirational so people are looked after if they’re in need but that it’s a really safe, welcoming place for everyone.”

Ian Wright, property manager of the Queen’s Arcade in downtown Auckland, said there was no use creating a “beautiful place” if it was unsafe outside.

He said the council and Heart of the City had started to bring in guards, and the government had allowed for more police on the beat, which had made a difference.

“We’re not where we need to be. But I think this is very much another key tool in the toolbox that will greatly facilitate the change process and just put the icing on the cake to where we’ve been,” he said.

Wright said it was mostly “recidivist offenders” engaging in intimidation, harassment, and general unsocial behaviour.

“We had a gentleman that was around living on the street on Commerce Street, around the corner. He was there for months, and he wouldn’t accept help, but now he’s accepted help, and he’s obviously been taken back into care and he’s getting the care he needs.

“So I don’t see it as displacement of the problem. That’s not a solution. It’s very much about holding people to account, drawing the line in the sand, and saying we’ve actually got a right to be here too. The people, the visitors, we want it to be safe and secure. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”

‘Punch-down politics’ – opposition

Labour was concerned the policy would not just be a tool, but the go-to tool.

Deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni said the policy was cruel.

“This is another instance of the government oversimplifying a problem, trying to sweep it under the carpet, acting like it’s just a law and order issue, when the reality is it’s so much more complex than that,” she said.

Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni RNZ / Angus Dreaver

“The government need to be investing in mental health. They need to be building the homes that New Zealanders need. They need to be investing in addiction services. They need to be supporting and resourcing the social and health services that work with so many of the people that we’re seeing on our streets. They’re not doing any of that. Instead, they’re saying that they’re going to criminalise these people and then effectively saying that it will become the police’s responsibility.”

Goldsmith said the government had put additional resources into housing, with 300 extra spots for homeless people, and not all of them were being taken up.

The move-on orders, he said, were to deal with those who refused to take up that extra help.

Green Party co-leader and Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick, said the policy was some of the most “despicable, bottom of the barrel, punch-down politics” she had seen from the government.

“You are not solving a problem if you are simply trying to move it out of sight and out of mind,” she said.

Green Party co-leader and Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick. RNZ / Reece Baker

Frontline police she had spoken to had made it “pretty abundantly clear” they did not have the resources to solve the issues either.

“If the government wants to deal with the issue of homelessness, I have a very clear solution for them: provide housing and the necessary wrap-around support for people to be able to stay in that housing. Unfortunately, the government has decided to do the complete opposite of that, shredding the necessary resources for our communities to thrive.”

Advocate fears ‘street-to-prison pipeline’

Aaron Hendry, director of youth development organisation Kick Back, was particularly concerned the orders could be used on people as young as 14.

His organisation worked with tamariki as young as 9 who were experiencing homelessness, often coming from complex situations where their whole family needed support.

“The idea that police will just be moving children on without intensively providing support to these kids is really concerning,” he said.

“We are concerned around what is looking like a really clear street-to-prison pipeline, with the lack of resources invested to ensure that people are looked after.”

He said social service providers had made it clear to ministers that the resources were not there, and that the move-on orders would not solve the problem and could cause more harm.

“Whānau that are sleeping rough in the city centre are often reaching out to Work and Income for support, being denied support, and as a result are ending up on our streets. That’s a real clear decision the government’s making to criminalise whānau for experiencing homelessness, as a consequence of the decisions they have made to restrict access to shelter and support.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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NZ Govt – Move-on orders to target disorderly behaviour

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is providing police with the power to issue move-on orders as a tool to deal with disorderly behaviour in public places, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say.

“New Zealanders are fair-minded people, and our culture is one where we seek to help those who are in need, but that doesn’t mean we should accept our city centres, particularly our showcase tourist spots, becoming places of intimidation, and dysfunction,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“Our main streets and town centres have been blighted by disruption and disturbance. Businesses are declining as some bad behaviour goes unchecked. It needs to stop. 

“Currently, police officers have limited options to respond, particularly when it doesn’t reach the level of offending. It means many disruptive, distressing, and potentially harmful acts can occur before officers have any means of intervention. It doesn’t make sense.

“Our government is committed to fixing the basics in law and order, and building a future where shoppers, visitors, residents and their families can feel safe in our communities,” Mr Goldsmith says.

Therefore, the Government has agreed to amend the Summary Offences Act, to provide police with the power to issue move-on orders to people who are: 

  • Displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening or intimidating behaviour.
  • Obstructing or impeding someone entering a business.
  • Breaching the peace.
  • All forms of begging.
  • Rough sleeping.
  • Behaviour indicating an intent to inhabit a public place.

These orders will: 

  • Require a person to leave a specified area for a specified amount of time, up to 24 hours.
  • Require a person to move on a reasonable distance from the area, as specified by the constable.
  • Apply to people aged 14 or older.
  • Be issued in writing, as is operationally appropriate.

“This is about public safety and providing our frontline with additional enforcement powers to ensure the public can feel and are safe,” Mr Mitchell says.  

“In terms of where people will be moved on to, they will be required to move a reasonable distance away from the area, as specified by the constable.

“Naturally, every situation will be different. Some people may require support services, some may not. Police have the expertise to assess and determine what support is required, if any – they do this every day.  

“Our police officers are familiar with the locations they work with and already have strong networks and partnerships with social and housing services. I expect Police will work closely with these providers as they develop their operational guidance for the frontline,” Mr Mitchell says.

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New Zealand Government – Move-on orders to target disorderly behaviour

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is providing police with the power to issue move-on orders as a tool to deal with disorderly behaviour in public places, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say.

“New Zealanders are fair-minded people, and our culture is one where we seek to help those who are in need, but that doesn’t mean we should accept our city centres, particularly our showcase tourist spots, becoming places of intimidation, and dysfunction,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“Our main streets and town centres have been blighted by disruption and disturbance. Businesses are declining as some bad behaviour goes unchecked. It needs to stop. 

“Currently, police officers have limited options to respond, particularly when it doesn’t reach the level of offending. It means many disruptive, distressing, and potentially harmful acts can occur before officers have any means of intervention. It doesn’t make sense.

“Our government is committed to fixing the basics in law and order, and building a future where shoppers, visitors, residents and their families can feel safe in our communities,” Mr Goldsmith says.

Therefore, the Government has agreed to amend the Summary Offences Act, to provide police with the power to issue move-on orders to people who are: 

  • Displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening or intimidating behaviour.
  • Obstructing or impeding someone entering a business.
  • Breaching the peace.
  • All forms of begging.
  • Rough sleeping.
  • Behaviour indicating an intent to inhabit a public place.

These orders will: 

  • Require a person to leave a specified area for a specified amount of time, up to 24 hours.
  • Require a person to move on a reasonable distance from the area, as specified by the constable.
  • Apply to people aged 14 or older.
  • Be issued in writing, as is operationally appropriate.

“This is about public safety and providing our frontline with additional enforcement powers to ensure the public can feel and are safe,” Mr Mitchell says.  

“In terms of where people will be moved on to, they will be required to move a reasonable distance away from the area, as specified by the constable.

“Naturally, every situation will be different. Some people may require support services, some may not. Police have the expertise to assess and determine what support is required, if any – they do this every day.  

“Our police officers are familiar with the locations they work with and already have strong networks and partnerships with social and housing services. I expect Police will work closely with these providers as they develop their operational guidance for the frontline,” Mr Mitchell says.

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Dogs that injured three people in Christchurch could be euthanised, councillor says

Source: Radio New Zealand

Animal control officers seized two dogs after the attack in the Christchurch suburb Brywndwr. Sam Sherwood / RNZ

The two dogs that attacked and injured three people in Brywndwr yesterday could be euthanised, a councillor says.

One person has critical injuries, another was seriously injured, and a third was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

Animal control officers seized two dogs after the attack.

Fendalton ward councillor David Cartwright said it was “absolutely devastating”.

“My thoughts go out to [the victims], their family, and obviously the first responders who would have been faced with what I understand is quite a gruesome situation when they arrived.”

Staff would now work through what happens to the dogs, he said.

“My understanding is that there will be an investigation, and then a possible euthanasia for the dogs, if it’s found that they are … violent or uncontrollable.”

Staff would work alongside police, talk to any witnesses, and be sure that they had impounded the correct dogs, said Cartwright.

The Dog Control Act says dogs can be impounded if they’ve attacked a person or another dog.

The owner of a dog that causes serious injury can be imprisoned for up to three years or fined up to $20,000.

The court will also order the dog destroyed if they owner is convicted, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Christchurch City Council referred RNZ to police, who are investigating.

Cartwright said he also planned to ask staff to review local bylaws to ensure they were fit for purpose.

But he said a central government review of the Dog Control Act would have the biggest impact in preventing attacks.

Shane Jones says dog owners must be held accountable with hefty jail terms RNZ / Mark Papalii

The Christchurch attack comes the same week 62-year-old Mihiata Te Rore was killed by dogs while visiting a home in the Northland town of Kaihu.

Northland local and cabinet ministerShane Jones said the current laws were not fit for purpose and “homicidal dogs” were scattered around Northland – with the problem worsening over years.

Dog owners must be held accountable with hefty jail terms, he said.

Te Rore was the fourth person in New Zealand killed by dogs in the last four years, three of which were in Northland.

Elizabeth Whittaker was killed in an attack in 2023 while Neville Thomson died in a 2022 attack. A four-year-old boy was also killed in an attack in the Bay of Plenty last year.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Property Market – $40m wiped from property market in Q4, but figures show improvement on last year – RealEstate

Source: RealEstate.co.nz

  • 1,374 listings recorded a price drop in Q4 2025, the lowest number in two years
  • Only 3% of all listings were reduced, the lowest portion in two years 
  • $41,309,345 million was the total value of price reductions, the lowest total price drop in a quarter
  • Stable OCR could be first sign of a property market recovery in 2026.

Latest data from realestate.co.nz shows that more than $40 million was trimmed from property asking prices across New Zealand in the last quarter of 2025.

In a shift that may signal improving market conditions, the total amount that dropped out of the market was $14 million less than the $55 million slashed in Q4 of 2024 *

In Q4 2025, fewer properties reduced the price of their listing. And of the listings that did drop their price, they did so by slightly less than any other quarter.

*This data reflects the difference between a property’s original asking price when listed on realestate.co.nz and its price at the point of sale or withdrawal. While it doesn’t show the final sale price, it provides a strong signal of how much sellers are adjusting to meet buyer demand.

Is the property market in recovery?

Vanessa Williams, spokesperson for realestate.co.nz, says the latest figures could be an early indicator that the market is beginning to swing in a different direction.

“While $40 million coming out of the market is still significant, fewer vendors reduced the price of their property last quarter than we’ve seen over the two years prior, an indication that the overall amount trimmed from the market in Q4 is a result not of smaller reductions but by fewer properties needing to reduce their price.”

Williams says: “This indicates that sellers may be starting to price more realistically from the outset, and buyer confidence could be slowly returning. It’s not a full recovery yet, but it could be one of the first signs that conditions are beginning to stabilise.”

How much are sellers cutting property asking prices by?

Nationally, vendors who reduced their asking prices in Q4 2025 took an average of $30,065 off each listing.

Regionally, Marlborough recorded the largest average drop, with sellers trimming $50,500 from their original asking prices. Gisborne followed at $49,333, while Northland, Wellington, and Coromandel rounded out the top five with average reductions of $38,479, $37,607, and $35,645, respectively.

Overall, fewer vendors dropped their prices in the final quarter of 2025, with the lowest percentage of price drops occurring in 11 of the 19 regions.

Signs of stabilisation heading into 2026?

The data suggests the intense repricing seen throughout 2025 may be easing.

“The significant amounts we saw slashed from the market in the earlier quarters of 2025 certainly hasn’t continued, which is a sign confidence is slowly returning to the market,” says Williams. “The stability of the OCR in this week’s announcement should also be an encouraging sign that the market may not be too far away from hitting its stride in 2026.”

realestate.co.nz is helping buyers and sellers move. Properties listed on realestate.co.nz that drop their price can receive free billboard advertising, while buyers who have saved them are alerted instantly.

About realestate.co.nz | New Zealand’s Best Small Workplace (2025)

Realestate.co.nz – your home for property search.

We’ve been helping people buy, sell, or rent property since 1996. Established before Google, realestate.co.nz is New Zealand’s longest-standing property website and the official website of the real estate industry. We are certified carbon neutral (2024 & 2025) and in 2025, realestate.co.nz was crowned Best Small/Micro Workplace in New Zealand by Great Place to Work.

Dedicated only to property, our mission is to empower people with a property search tool they can use to find the life they want to live. With residential, lifestyle, rural and commercial property listings, realestate.co.nz is the place to start for those looking to buy or sell property.  

Whatever life you’re searching for, it all starts here.  

Want more property insights?

Market insights: Search by suburb to see median sale prices, popular property types and trends over time: https://www.realestate.co.nz/insights

 Glossary of terms:  

Average asking price (AAP) is neither a valuation nor the sale price. It is an indication of current market sentiment. Statistically, asking prices tend to correlate closely with the sales prices recorded in future months when those properties are sold. As it looks at different data, average asking prices may differ from recorded sales data released simultaneously.  

Price drop reflects the difference between a property’s original asking price when listed on realestate.co.nz and its price at the point of sale or withdrawal. While it doesn’t show the final sale price, it provides a strong signal of how much sellers are adjusting to meet buyer demand.

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PSA Responds – How dare you blame unions Mr Peters. You blew chance to block anti-worker law

Source: PSA

PSA calls on NZ First to put workers first, not big business
Winston Peters is simply wrong to blame unions for being too slow to convince New Zealand First to block the Fire at Will Bill when his party knew about unions’ concerns in August last year.
Winston Peters told RNZ NZ First could have stopped the Fire at Will / Uber Bill but unions came to the party too late. The party failed to vote against the Employment Relations Amendment Bill which passed its Third Reading on Tuesday.
“How dare Winston Peters claim unions were too slow when they contacted his party last year when there was plenty of time for him to make a difference,” said Fleur Fitzsimson, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“He had all the time in world in fact – 196 days in fact between the PSA’s first meeting with NZ First last year and the passing of the Bill this Tuesday.
“It’s as simple as this – the party lacked the guts to stand up to the ACT party despite expressing concerns in speeches about the Bill.
“They committed in the Second Reading to make changes to the personal grievance provisions. We held out hope, but nothing happened. Why?
“So, ACT got to write a bill that rips up personal grievance provisions and allows Uber to exploit workers on contracts.
“Here are the facts:
“I got in touch with New Zealand First in August last year and met with their staff in Mr Peters’ office on 5 August. It was a useful meeting, and they put me in touch with their Employment Relations spokesperson, Mark Patterson .
“There were two further constructive meetings with Mark Patterson before the Second Reading of the Bill. He really seemed to give us a fair hearing and asked for possible amendments to take the harsh edges off the proposed legislation.
“And we made a last minute, constructive plea to the party last week delivering a handwritten card to Mr Peters.
“This is the man who claims his party is all about ‘the responsible face of capitalism’. Responsible capitalism means basic protections for workers from unfair treatment which is what personal grievance remedies are all about.
“Mr Peters had every chance to walk the talk but turned a blind eye.
“Once again, Winston Peters and NZ First, have ignored workers, and voted for the most anti-worker legislation in three decades, adding to his party voting with National and ACT to scrap Fair Pay Agreements and pay equity for 150,000 women, supporting 90-day trials and suppressing low minimum wage increases.
“The facts speak for themselves. NZ First, like National, is simply the lap dog of the anti-worker ACT party. You must wonder what price has Mr Peters extracted for his party to back the Bill.
“Workers will never forget this latest betrayal – the PSA will be reminding voters come the election what NZ First really stands for – putting the Coalition Government’s business mates first, not New Zealand workers.”
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

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Arts – 2026 NZSA Kupu Kaitiaki & Kaituhi Mentor Programmes for Kaituhi Māori

Source: NZSA

Open For Applications February 20th – April 10th

He karanga tēnei ki ngā kaituhi Māori, he pōwhiri hoki kia kawea ō pūkenga tuhituhi ki tētahi taumata kounga hou. Whakaae ki tā mātou wero ki te tuhi i a koe anō ki tētahi wāhi e tū ai koe i waenga i ō hoa aropā, i ō hoa kaituhi hoki e titiro ai ki anamata. Nau mai, piki mai, kake mai!

Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei

Ko tā ngā hōtaka o te NZSA e kīia nei ko ngā hōtaka Kaituhi, Kupu Kaitiaki hoki, he tautoko i te whakarahi i ngā reo Māori, i ngā kōrero Māori kia kitea ai, hei te mutunga iho, kia nui ake te tā me te whakaatu i aua mahi. Kua whakatauiratia aua hōtaka ki ngā hōtaka kaiakopono me te aromatawai kua 30 tau e haere ana, he mea whai pānga, angitu hoki hei tautoko i ngā kaituhi. Whakarato ngātahi ai te NZSA me Ngā Kaituhi Māori i aua hōtaka motuhake mā ngā kaituhi Māori.

These two programmes aim to support the amplification of Māori voices, Māori stories, and ultimately see greater publication and performance of these works.  They are modelled on NZSA’s 30-year successful and impactful mentorship and assessment support programmes for writers. NZSA offers two dedicated programmes for Māori writers through Ngā Kaituhi Māori.

Kaituhi Māori Mentor Programme:

Designed for emerging writers who whakapapa Māori to have the opportunity to work closely with an acclaimed writer as their mentor to hone their tuhituhi ability and, in the process, evolve and refine a work toward a publishable state. We welcome applications from kaituhi who write in te reo Māori and/or te reo Pākehā, in the genres of fiction including short fiction, on any topic(s). We welcome kaituhi of all ages – from rangatahi to kaumātua.
 
Over a period of up to six months, this mentorship provides opportunities to discuss ideas and issues – practical and editorial – and benefit from the experience, mōhio and mana of experienced kaituhi Māori to help aspiring kaituhi Māori develop further skills to sustain and strengthen their future career. Modelled on a tuakana-teina relationship, this kaupapa aims to offer a safe and supportive space for emerging kaituhi to develop their craft; gain encouragement and accountability, along with substantive feedback. As well as mentorship, part of this programme is to provide constructive suggestions for the refinement of a work in progress.  
 
There are four (4) mentorships for kaituhi Māori available in 2026.

Kupu Kaitiaki:

This kaupapa is an assessment programme and aims to provide new and emerging kaituhi with valuable feedback from a skilled Kupu Kaitiaki, for the refinement of a part of a manuscript written in te reo Māori or in English. The proposed work can be in the genres of poetry, fiction (excluding plays), short fiction or non-fiction (excluding screenplays and picture books), on any topic(s), of up to 30,000 words. The two selected successful manuscripts will be read by an experienced te reo Māori pūkenga and literary advisor – a Kupu Kaitiaki – who will compile feedback in a brief report. It offers kaituhi an opportunity to further develop style and direction, and receive support for a project in the early stages of development.

The desired outcome is to champion Māori writers and Māori writing and in particular, works by kaituhi Māori in te reo Māori. To apply, kaituhi can send in a piece a 1-2 page synopsis along with a sample (max 5,000 words) of the manuscript they are seeking feedback on. There are two opportunities available in 2026. Assessments of the recipients’ works will begin shortly after selection, and will be completed on/by 30 June 2026.

Applications for these programmes are open from 20 February – 10 April 2026. Applicants will be notified within 4-6 weeks of the result.

How to Apply

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Research – Strategic hiring, rising pay pressures and a borderless workforce

Source: Robert Walters

Robert Walters identifies New Zealand’s key labour and salary trends for 2026

Auckland, New Zealand, 19th Feb 2026 - 2026 will be a year of strategic hiring, increased pressure on salaries, and rising workforce mobility across New Zealand, according to new research from global talent solutions partner Robert Walters. 

The findings come from its latest Salary Guide, which surveyed over 2,300 white-collar New Zealand professionals across 12 different industries.  

Shay Peters, CEO, Robert Walters Australia & New Zealand: ”The New Zealand labour market is showing a renewed sense of optimism, but caution remains. Businesses are hiring again, skills shortages persist, and employees are carefully weighing where they work, what they earn, and whether to relocate. This combination is reshaping the workforce: organisations face pressure to attract and retain talent, address capability gaps, and balance pay with cost-of-living concerns, while employees are increasingly strategic about career moves and mobility. How companies respond now will have a direct impact on productivity, growth, and their ability to secure and retain the talent they need for success in the future.” 

Key labour market trends 

Hiring rebounds, but jobseekers remain cautious after 2025 turmoil

Market confidence is gradual but strengthening, with 76% of New Zealand businesses planning to hire in 2026, up from 66% in 2025. 

Hiring demand varies regionally. Canterbury leads hiring intent at 78%, followed by Auckland (75%) and Wellington (72%). 

Despite this uplift in business confidence, employee mobility has cooled. 53% of New Zealand professionals are considering a role change this year, down from 63% in 2025, suggesting a more cautious workforce. 

Shay comments: ”Hiring intent has increased since last year, signalling that businesses are ready to move forward. However, employees are taking a more considered approach. From conversations we’ve been having with job seekers, we know the unstable condition of the 2025 labour market is making people concerned about job prospects in 2026. Economic uncertainty over the past year has made many professionals very risk-aware. The labour market is gradually rebalancing, rather than surging.” 

Rising relocation trends are creating a borderless workforce

Mobility remains a defining feature of the New Zealand workforce. 58% of professionals are open to relocating for work. 

Interest varies regionally. In Auckland, 64% would consider relocating, compared with 53% in Wellington and 51% in Canterbury. 

Australia is the most attractive destination, with 65% naming it as their top choice. Domestically, 54% would consider relocating within New Zealand. Internationally, 23% would consider moving to the UK and 21% to Europe. 

The primary drivers of relocation are higher salaries (71%), better job opportunities (65%), lifestyle changes (53%), and cost of living (38%). 

Interest in Australians relocating to New Zealand has increased this year to 17% (up from 2% in 2025). 

Shay comments: ”The strength of interest in Australia underscores how interconnected the two labour markets have become. For many professionals, relocation is no longer aspirational, it is a strategic financial and career decision. 

New Zealand employers must recognise that they are competing not just locally, but internationally. Organisations that create compelling career pathways, competitive remuneration and flexible work models will be better positioned to retain talent in an increasingly borderless market.” 

Salary growth remains modest as cost-of-living pressures persist

In 2025, 57% of New Zealand professionals received a pay rise, although most increases fell within the modest 2.5%-5% range, limiting their real impact. 

67% of New Zealand businesses intend to offer salary increases in 2026, while 56% of professionals expect one. 

42% of employees feel underpaid, but 83% of employers believe salaries are keeping pace with the cost of living, highlighting a perception gap. 

Salary dissatisfaction varies regionally. In Canterbury, 46% of professionals do not believe their salary matches the cost of living. In Auckland this stands at 42%, and in Wellington 39%. 

Shay comments: ”As businesses come out of last year’s restructures, organisations have an opportunity to reassess remuneration. Where salary increases are not feasible, employers must focus on career progression, flexibility, and skills development. It’s no secret the movement of New Zealand talent to Australia is well underway. Dissatisfaction around pay is a high retention risk, especially as overseas markets actively target New Zealand talent.” 

Skills shortages squeeze productivity across key sectors

Skills shortages remain critical, with 81% of New Zealand employers experiencing gaps over the past year. 

Regional pressure varies, with 52% of Auckland employers reporting shortages, followed by Wellington (49%) and Canterbury (39%). 

The most acute gaps are in industry-specific expertise (52%), digital and technology capability (37%), and leadership skills (31%) - these areas closely linked to productivity and organisational performance. 

Hiring challenges are compounded by unsuitable applicants (62%) and a lack of formal qualifications (53%). 

 Shay comments: ”Skills shortages are a severe productivity issue. When capability gaps persist, delivery slows and growth opportunities are missed. 

New Zealand organisations must take a long-term view, investing in leadership development, digital capability, and structured workforce planning. Skills gaps directly impact productivity and growth, and with more talent continuing to move to Australia, this challenge will intensify unless decisive action is taken now. Waiting for the market to correct itself is no longer a viable strategy in a competitive global talent landscape.” 

AI adoption accelerates, but concerns remain

AI integration is gaining momentum. 86% of New Zealand businesses are actively promoting AI, and 70% of employers say AI skills are important. 

Adoption at employee level is already high, with 69% using AI in their roles. However, 51% express concern about AI’s future impact on their job.

Shay comments: ”New Zealand businesses are embracing AI at pace, but adoption must be matched with transparency and training. The fact that over half of employees are concerned about AI’s future impact highlights the importance of clear communication and structured upskilling. 

At the speed AI is developing, it’s critical that soft skills like leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving are not lost but actively encouraged alongside new technology. 

Done right, AI can increase efficiency, boost productivity, and complement human talent, supporting the goals outlined in New Zealand’s 2025 AI Strategy for a productive, future-ready workforce.” 

About the Salary Guide: The Robert Walters 2026 Salary Guide provides a comprehensive overview of hiring intentions, salary trends, skills shortages, and workforce mobility across New Zealand. With insights from over 2,300 respondents, the guide highlights how businesses and employees are navigating an evolving labour market shaped by cost-of-living pressures, technological adoption, and mobility opportunities.

About Robert Walters:  

With more than 3,100 people in 30 countries, Robert Walters delivers recruitment consultancy, staffing, recruitment process outsourcing and managed services across the globe. From traditional recruitment and staffing to end-to-end talent management, our consultants are experts at matching highly skilled people to permanent, contract and interim roles across all professional disciplines. 

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