More Than Money Salary Guide | Auckland Hiring Market Insights

Candidate needs

Job Security: Candidates’ top concern remains to be job security. Clear and transparent communication from leadership is crucial during this period of uncertainty. Flexibility remains important but is becoming more negotiable.
Contractor Security: Contractors are prioritising securing engagements that will extend over the Christmas period.
AI Upskilling: As AI reshapes the workforce, there’s an increasing demand for professionals skilled in AI, data science, and automation. Employees are prioritising learning opportunities in these areas to remain competitive. Companies offering upskilling opportunities will have a competitive edge in attracting and retaining talent.
Location Mobility: More candidates are considering relocating to Australia, attracted by the strength of the Australian job market. This trend has not slowed down at all.

Business needs

The “new normal” for employers is marked by frequent restructures and realignments, creating a demand for leaders who are effective change agents.

Other emerging priorities for businesses include:

Diversity Focus: There has been a marked increase in requests for Māori and Pasifika candidates, particularly from private sector companies. This reflects a continued commitment to diversity, even in the face of global trends that have seen a reduction in DEI initiatives.
Leadership: There is an increasing demand for leaders who are skilled at driving and executing change, particularly in relation to AI transformations and technological advancements.
Workplace Flexibility: Several large organisations are now enforcing a 4-day in-office policy, signalling a shift back toward more traditional work structures.

The year ahead

New Zealand’s Budget 2025 outlined key initiatives including tax incentives for businesses to invest in productive assets, changes to international tax rules, and adjustments to the employee share scheme tax structure.

With new expenditure halved, we’ll need to track future updates to determine if the Investment Boost initiatives generate the growth our market needs.

The government’s focus on fiscal restraint continues, and while Investment Boost initiatives are promising, the long-term impact will require careful monitoring in the months to come.

We recommend the following actions for businesses aiming to adapt in this evolving environment:

Invest in AI Education: Enhance AI literacy among your board and executive teams to make informed decisions.
Assess Long-Term Skills Needs: Evaluate your long-term skills gaps and identify what can be developed internally versus what needs to be hired externally.
Review your structure: Do you have the structure required to foster clarity, accountability and overall alignment to strategic objectives?
Embrace Diversity: If you have company-wide objectives to increase the diversity of your workforce, including Māori and Pasifika candidates, consider all of the opportunities across the enterprise and consider your supplier network too.

Amid the uncertainty, businesses that embrace change and are willing to reset, recalibrate, and adapt will be best positioned to succeed.

Auckland

Talent Insights

Tech Talent

31k technology professionals with an average tenure of 2.2 years

(source: LinkedIn Talent Insights)

Gender Identity

% Female

% Male

*This information has been retrieved from sources with gender binary data. We acknowledge those who do not fit within this framework and understand there are more gender identities beyond the binary.

(source: LinkedIn Talent Insights)

Top Employers

Auckland Council
ASB Bank
Spark NZ
Datacom
University of Auckland

(source: LinkedIn Talent Insights)

Top Skills

Senior Stakeholder Management
System Configuration
Azure SQL
Microsoft 365
ITIL implemetation

Living in

Auckland

NZ

Tāmaki Makaurau is a city shaped by water, culture, and momentum. Known as the City of Sails, it’s surrounded by beaches, islands, and volcanic landscapes, but it’s also where much of New Zealand’s commercial and tech activity is concentrated.

One of Auckland’s greatest strengths is its diversity. Home to the largest Polynesian population in the world alongside thriving European and Asian communities, the city’s talent market reflects a wide mix of perspectives, skills, and global experience. That blend continues to support growth across financial services, digital transformation, SaaS, and emerging innovation sectors.

While the cost of living can sit higher than other parts of the country, Auckland offers real opportunity — and a lifestyle that balances career ambition with outdoor living, strong community, and a uniquely Kiwi sense of possibility.