Who the buck is hiring in 2024?
Here’s what +600 business leaders & professionals said in our recent market survey.
After the rapid and often reactive hiring trends of previous years, we’re now seeing a more balanced and equitable market.
From scrambling to thoughtful
With realigned strategies and more talent in market, employers seem to be taking a more thoughtful approach to hiring.
Finding the right fit for the long haul rather than short-term, quick-fix recruitment.
Still hiring
Although recruitment processes may have slowed down, there’s still growth in the pipeline.
Over the next 12 months, 32% of employers are expecting to expand their teams in search of top talent – great news for great candidates.
Do you expect to increase the number of employees in your team in the next 12 months?
Growth exceeds reduction
Since our last survey in September, 50.9% of businesses expected to maintain their workforce and since then, some have taken steps towards growth or realignment.
However, our recent survey results found that in the next 12 months, intentions to grow exceed those to reduce.
Silver lining remains strong
Although it is a more competitive market for candidates (compared to last year), the silver lining still remains strong.
With nearly 80% aiming to maintain or grow their workforce in the next 12 months.
Do you expect to increase the number of employees in your team in the next 12 months?
Migration pressures & candidate confidence
We also found 65.8% of respondents felt confident in finding a new role if they were made redundant today*.
Combine this confidence with the temptation to head ashore for a belated OE or a chance to relocate with their family, businesses need a strong strategy in place to account for movement.
When it comes to your high performers, everyone still wants the best, so keep them engaged.
* Somewhat confident (44.4%) | Extremely confident (21.4%)
What the Buck
Our latest Market Snapshot & Salary Update ‘What the Buck?!’ has landed. It plunges deeper into these figures and provides tips for navigating the next 12 months.
Available in hard copy only. Have one of our team deliver a copy to you or email info@consult.co.nz to set up a meeting.
Consult Recruitment
Recent Posts
Our latest blog posts.
April 2026 Recruitment Market Update
A lot has happened since our last update in December. Between global trade tensions, rising fuel costs and continued inflationary
How New Zealand businesses are navigating global trade tensions
With global trade tensions, rising oil prices, and supply chain uncertainty impacting every business, one question keeps coming up: How
Retention in 2026: What actually keeps people engaged?
Our recent Summer 2026 What the Buck? market survey shows professionals are feeling more confident than last year. That doesn’t
Hiring or job hunting? You’ll want this.
Get our latest What the Buck? Market Snapshot & Salary Report.
What the Buck? is proprietary research we run once a year. It’s fresh, NZ-specific and built to help businesses and professionals understand the job market and make better hiring and career decisions.
