Recently I had the privilege of attending the RCSA & Trade Me Jobs Industry and Staffing Summit at the Beehive in Wellington. It was a rare opportunity to engage directly with government ministers, policy leaders, and fellow industry executives on the future of recruitment and workforce development in New Zealand. 

The Beehive summit was a timely reminder that recruitment is not just about filling roles, it is about shaping the future of work. Governance, policy, and technology are converging faster than ever, and our ability to anticipate trends and adapt to change is what defines our value to employers and job seekers. At Stellar, we are focused on building resilient workforce strategies that align with government, employer and workforce objectives, and trends. 

Key Themes Shaping the Future of Work: 

The summit tackled some of the most pressing challenges facing the economic and business environment in NZ, including: 

• Immigration Policy Reform: With a forecasted shortfall of 180,000 workers in the construction industry over the coming years, and only 6% of school leavers entering apprenticeships, the urgency for streamlined pathways to residency was clear. MBIE outlined the changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), including more streamlined processing, minimising wait times, and widening the settings for residency.   

• Use of Technology and AI: Trade Me Jobs highlighted the speed and influence AI is having within our business environment and the importance of having an effective AI Strategy. AI is already transforming recruitment globally from business development to marketing automation highlighting the importance of embracing this within New Zealand businesses to ensure we evolve at the fast pace we are seeing with development of AI. 

• Workplace Relations & Safety: Business NZ and Minister Brooke van Velden discussed upcoming legislative changes across industrial relations settings, H&S and the Holiday’s Act, which will all improve business confidence through removing red tape and uncertainty which will ultimately improve productivity across the NZ economy.   

• Productivity: NZ is 30% below the average of OECD countries when it comes to productivity; a measure of GDT per hours worked. It’s refreshing to see government focusing on ways to improve our competitiveness on the global stage through improving our time worked v’s income generated as a nation.   

Infrastructure Investment: Opportunities Ahead 

Budget 2025 has earmarked $6.8 billion in capital expenditure, including: 

• $1B for hospital upgrades 
• $712M for school property 
• $464M for rail maintenance 
• $219M for road recovery 

These investments will drive demand across skilled trades, logistics, and project management, areas where Stellar continues to deliver top-tier talent.  We are excited for the future of NZ’s economic turnaround and the opportunities that come for kiwi’s to return home after significant “brain drain” over recent years.  

Looking Forward 

As we navigate policy shifts, technological disruption, and economic recovery, Stellar remains committed to building bridges between talent and business growth opportunities. We are proud to be part of the conversation shaping the future of work in New Zealand. 

Let’s Shape the Future Together 

If you're a business looking to strengthen your workforce strategy or a job seeker ready to take the next step in your career, reach out to one of the team at Stellar Recruitment today. Let’s work together to build a future that’s shaping NZ’s economy today and into the future.