NZ's Hottest Jobs in 2026… And How to Get Paid More in Any of Them

One in four young people in NZ can't find work. But some jobs are up 200% year on year.The job market hasn't collapsed - it's split. And if you're on the wrong side of that split, waiting for things to improve isn't a strategy.In this episode, we get into which jobs are actually booming right now, what the latest Stats NZ unemployment numbers really mean once you dig past the headline figure, and what it tells us about where the economy is actually heading.Then we get practical. How to make yourself the person your employer can't afford to lose. How to job hunt strategically when most roles are never even advertised. And how to ask for a pay rise, with real scripts, not vague advice about knowing your worth.We also talk honestly about AI: what it actually means for your career right now and the two smart plays depending on where you want to go.In this episode:The Stats NZ unemployment data and what's buried in itThe top 10 most in-demand jobs in NZ right nowWhy the hidden job market is 70-80% of all roles (and how to access it)Two career strategies for navigating AIHow to ask for a pay rise: timing, preparation, and the exact words to useFollow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeBecome a confident sharemarket investor by signing up to the Market Memo newsletter https://www.francescook.co.nz/invest#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedomThis podcast was filmed & produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash Chittock