A survey by employment website Trade Me Jobs suggests the job market has picked up in the first three months of the year.
The Fairfax-owned firm says a study of 26,000 jobs listed on its website found vacancies rose 9% in the March quarter compared to the previous three months.
It says more employers are seeking permanent workers, reversing the recent trend toward hiring contractors.
Trade Me Jobs says sectors affected early in the recession now seem to be recruiting again, including banking and construction.
The website's data suggests the highest average rate of pay was in Auckland city, followed by Wellington city and Southland.
