The South Island picture
Stats NZ reported on 5 August 2026 that the South Island unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, compared with 6.0 percent in the North Island. Stats NZ data via figure.nz put male unemployment in Canterbury at 4.1 percent and in Otago at 3.8 percent in the March 2026 quarter. HCA Magazine reported Canterbury filled jobs up 1.9 percent in the year to June 2026. That makes interregional moves a serious option for North Island job seekers, but housing costs and local networks matter.
Region by region
| Region | Pressure points (verified) | Where hiring tends to continue |
|---|---|---|
| Canterbury and Christchurch | Air NZ was reported (31 July 2026) to be consulting on nine Christchurch light-maintenance roles. Lincoln University announced 40 FTE cuts on 25 March 2026. | Construction and infrastructure, health, agriculture and food processing, engineering, education. |
| Otago and Dunedin | University of Otago accepted 107 voluntary redundancy applications in 2023 (RNZ, older). Check current status. | Health, tourism (Queenstown and Wānaka), horticulture in Central Otago, construction in growth areas. |
| Southland | Tiwai Point aluminium smelter is a major Southland employer. Long-term power contracts were reported in 2024, and we found no confirmed 2026 job cuts. | Dairy, meat processing, engineering, ports and tourism (Fiordland). |
| Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough | CHH confirmed closure of the Eves Valley sawmill on 4 September 2025 (142 jobs). Air NZ was reported to be consulting on 12 engineering roles at Nelson in 2026. | Horticulture, wine, seafood, forestry, tourism and health. |
| West Coast | Small economy dependent on mining, farming, tourism and forestry. We did not find verified 2026 closures. | Tourism, farming, health and construction. |
Local help
- Regional development agencies and councils publish job and training information. Check their sites.
- Regional Skills Leadership Groups were disestablished in 2024, so older plans are guides to sectors rather than current programmes.
- Email RedeploymentSupport@msd.govt.nz if you work for an employer making cuts, and ask your local Work and Income office about group sessions.
- Local chambers of commerce in Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and Nelson.
- Rūnanga and iwi organisations may run employment and training support. Ask Work and Income for referrals.
- Community Law and CAB across the region for free advice.
Work and Income offers redeployment support for people facing redundancy. Its page says you can contact them before your job ends, even if no decisions have been made. Support can include a named contact who helps with your CV and cover letter, looks for jobs or training, connects you with employers and arranges financial support between jobs.
- Email RedeploymentSupport@msd.govt.nz (the address Work and Income lists for redundancy support).
- Call Work and Income on 0800 559 009 to talk about payments such as Jobseeker Support or a Transition to Work Grant.
- Book a free career conversation with the Direct Career Service on 0800 222 733.
Sources
- TEU: Staff left reeling after 40 FTE job cuts at Lincoln University (opens in a new tab)
- Chris Lynch Media: Air New Zealand engineering cuts (opens in a new tab)
- E tū: Workers devastated as CHH confirms Eves Valley closure (opens in a new tab)
- MBIE: Regional Skills Leadership Groups (disestablished) (opens in a new tab)
- Stats NZ: Unemployment rate at 5.6 percent in the June 2026 quarter (opens in a new tab)
- Work and Income: Redundancy support (opens in a new tab)
General information only. Confirm with the agency for your situation. Spotted something out of date? Email help@unemployed.nz.