A government report shows there was weak job growth for skilled workers in December.
The Jobs Online report by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment analyses figures from the two main internet job boards - Seek and Trade Me.
Online advertisements for skilled workers rose by only 0.2% in December following November's 1.5% increase during that month.
Healthcare and medical jobs led the way with a 2.1% increase, followed by construction and engineering with a 1.2% rise.
By occupation, the biggest increase was for technicians and trade workers, up 5.1%.
The Canterbury region, where the earthquake rebuild is well underway, showed the largest increase in jobs of almost 2% with a 1.8% increase.
Job growth fell in all other regions.
Over the year to December, skilled vacancies rose 11.7%.
The ministry says job vacancies should grow at a slow pace at the beginning of the year then pick up as economic growth broadens across regions.
