Job Market Resilience: Exploring Recession-Proof Roles in New Zealand

New Zealand’s job market is facing challenges as unemployment rates rise and many individuals struggle to find work. Despite these difficulties, certain roles are deemed “recession-proof,” providing more stability in a weakening economy, according to a report by RNZ. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment revealed that job advertisements decreased by 7.6 percent in the year leading to the June quarter, showing some improvement from a 21.7 percent decline recorded in the previous quarter. Notably, job postings in the healthcare and primary industries have seen an uptick.

Recruiters indicate that demand remains steady in various sectors. Seek’s recent data highlighted the most advertised positions, which included 3,533 listings for sales account managers, over 2,500 for business development managers, and approximately 2,300 for accountants. Additionally, there were over 2,100 listings for electricians, alongside high demand for nurses, support workers, administrative staff, sales assistants, and chefs.

Healthcare and Demographic Pressures Drive Demand

Blair Chapman, senior economist at Seek, emphasized that demographic trends will continue to drive hiring, particularly within healthcare. “With an estimated 7.5 percent of Kiwis now over the age of 75, and another 9 percent over 65, support workers and nurses are likely to remain in demand as the need for care grows,” Chapman stated. The recovery of tourism is also contributing to job growth in hospitality, with increasing visitor numbers, especially from Australia, enhancing the need for chefs and retail workers.

Hayley Pickard, managing director of Fortitude Group, noted that healthcare and aged care positions consistently show resilience, along with roles in technology and education. She pointed out, however, that sectors like construction, engineering, and manufacturing have been slowing down due to economic pressures.

Unexpected Sectors Show Resilience

Gareth Kiernan, chief forecaster at Infometrics, highlighted that utilities and mining have historically shown resilience during economic downturns. “Households and businesses will always need electricity, water, and telecommunications. Mining operations tend to persist even in weak economies, especially when global demand for commodities such as gold or coal remains strong,” Kiernan explained. He also mentioned that healthcare, social assistance, and education sectors are among the least affected by economic fluctuations. In fact, economic downturns often lead to increased demand for tertiary education, as more young people postpone entering the job market.

Certain segments of agriculture and food manufacturing remain stable, provided that export demand holds firm. While central government roles have faced some cutbacks, they continue to be relatively stable compared to the private sector.

Despite the prevailing challenges, some employers are beginning to feel optimistic about the future. Pickard remarked, “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.”

As New Zealand navigates through a complex job market, these recession-proof roles offer a glimmer of hope for job seekers and underscore the importance of adaptability in the face of economic uncertainty.