Picture as at October 2026
| Region | Indicator | Source and caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Bay of Plenty | Unemployment about 7.1% in March 2026 quarter | Stats NZ data shown on figure.nz. Confirm the latest at stats.govt.nz. |
| Waikato | Unemployment about 5.2% in March 2026 quarter | Same caveat. |
| Waikato | Filled jobs up 1.1 percent (2,522 jobs) in the year to June 2026 | Reported by HCA Magazine; employment authority data may differ. |
In Tokoroa, CHH confirmed in September 2025 that its plywood plant would close, with 119 jobs lost. Winstone Pulp's closures of its Karioi pulp mill and Tangiwai sawmill, confirmed in September 2024, affected the wider Central North Island. See the forestry guide for details and dates.
Employers and sectors that tend to hire
- Kiwifruit and horticulture in Bay of Plenty: harvest and packhouse work is seasonal, with major peaks in autumn. Check conditions and accommodation.
- Dairy and dairy processing across Waikato: farm roles and processing plants.
- Ports and logistics: Port of Tauranga and inland freight hubs.
- Health: Waikato, Tauranga, Whakatāne and Rotorua hospitals, and aged care.
- Local government and infrastructure projects.
- Tourism and hospitality in Rotorua and Tauranga.
Local help
- Email RedeploymentSupport@msd.govt.nz for MSD redeployment support, or call Work and Income.
- Regional Skills Leadership Groups were disestablished in 2024 (MBIE support ended in March 2024), so older regional workforce plans are a guide to sectors, not to current programmes.
- Local economic development agencies and councils publish business and workforce information. Check their sites.
- Chambers of Commerce in Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua can connect you with employers.
- Iwi and hapū organisations run job and training programmes. Ask Work and Income for referrals.
- Community Law and CAB in Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua.
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
- figure.nz: Unemployment rate in the Bay of Plenty Region (opens in a new tab)
- figure.nz: Unemployment rate in the Waikato Region (opens in a new tab)
- MBIE: Regional Skills Leadership Groups (disestablished) (opens in a new tab)
- HCA Magazine: Filled jobs slightly tick up in June (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.