Infometrics is cautiously optimistic about an economic recovery heading into 2026

SEEK NZ's latest Employment Report shows job ads fell 0.3 percent, with less demand in retail, technology and hospitality.

However, construction continues to lift overall volumes, with ads up 3.4 percent nationally.

Principal Economist Nick Brunsdon says overall - there's still a lot of people looking for work.

He says with a 5.3 percent unemployment rate - there's a fair bit of spare capacity - with four times the number of job applicants than there were three years ago.