Employers' hiring intentions have defied a global downward trend to reach heights not seen for four years.
A survey of hiring intentions by recruitment firm Manpower found a net 23% of firms plan to hire more staff between now and the end of the year compared to a net 19% in the previous quarter.
Manpower client manager Michael Sacco says employer optimism is being driven by the Christchurch rebuild and the Rugby World Cup.
He says the improved employment outlook exceeds employer optimism in China and Australia.
