February 22 2008 - Workers aged 65 years and above were the employment group with
the highest increase in both filled jobs and average mean quarterly earnings in the five years up to December 2006,
according to Statistics New Zealand.
The five-year study shows that while the over-65 group have only 2.5% of the job market, this is an
88.9% improvement. The next oldest group (60-64) followed with the second highest increase of 50.5% and
55-59 year-olds showing an improvement of 45%.
The study of taxation and Statistics NZ also reveals that growth in average mean quarterly earnings
for workers aged 65 years and above was 40.7% in the period. This compares with the New Zealand average of 22.5%.
In 2006, average mean quarterly earnings increased by 4.5% to NZ$10,670 with men continuing
to earn more on average than women in every age group. However, female employees'average mean quarterly earnings rose by
25.0% in the five years up to December 2006, compared to 20.8% for male workers.
The greatest increases for women were seen in the
health and community services industry, and the business and financial services industry. The key drivers of
growth in average mean quarterly earnings for men were the manufacturing and the
business and financial services industries.