Expats urged to consider Tauranga jobs

Skills shortages are hampering New Zealand’s fifth-largest city.

Set on the spectacular Bay of Plenty in New Zealand’s North Island’s northernmost region, Tauranga city is a major business centre, trading hub, harbour and horticultural science hotspot, but its businesses are struggling to employ skilled workers. Recruitment agencies are having a hard time getting expat professionals to even consider taking a position in one of the city’s industrial sectors, with a huge gap now opening between the number of positions available and the number of applicants. One projects manager told the media she’s contacted by only 35 or so potential employees every month, with half of the enquiries coming from returning expat Kiwis or foreigners.

As in the majority of expat destinations, software developers and top IT professionals are especially needed in Tauranga, but more glamorous destinations are creaming off the top of the supply of tech professionals. The city’s lifestyle is one of the best in New Zealand, but salaries are far lower than in the two top cities of Wellington and Auckland. According to recruitment specialists, employers are going to have to realise top talent won’t come for less than top money, however attractive the location. Other professions where shortages are running riot are logistics, professional management, specialised manufacturing and healthcare, although almost all sectors are finding it difficult to recruit qualified, experienced workers.

The city’s deputy mayor Kelvin Clout told the media housing price pressures aren’t helping recruitment, nor are the increasing traffic congestion problems. Almost the only sector able to attract enough experienced workers is the construction industry, being kept busy at the present time with major residential developments as well as industrial construction projects. Expats who’ve taken a chance and managed to find a suitable job are more than happy with their choice, mostly due to the positive mix of lifestyle along the spectacular bay and job satisfaction. One recruitment firm advises would-be expat applicants to take care when writing their CVs as some employers reject applications due to spelling or grammar mistakes.