Job listings across Canterbury have held above pre-pandemic levels for most of 2025, with construction, healthcare and software development the most active categories on Seek and Trade Me Jobs.

The Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce said its latest member survey showed skilled trades and engineering roles remain the hardest to fill. Several large infrastructure projects, including ongoing Three Waters renewals, are competing for the same pool of candidates.

Tertiary providers are responding. Ara Institute of Canterbury and the University of Canterbury have both expanded short-course offerings in areas such as cyber security, data analytics and project management, often with employer co-funding.

Migrant settlement agencies report that accredited employer work visa approvals have helped fill some critical gaps, particularly in healthcare and aged care. However, housing affordability remains a frequently cited barrier for new arrivals considering Christchurch.