Recruiters have predicted that 2007 will be a bumper year for IT specialists throughout New Zealand, particularly in the nation’s capital, Wellington.

As New Zealand-based employers continue to feel the sting of the country’s skills shortage, positions such as business analysts, Java developers, test analysts, project managers and .Net specialists are in high demand.

Research has shown that organisations in both the public and private sector will be actively recruiting IT staff throughout 2007, with the government, telecommunications, and Information Technology sectors all seeking skilled employees to fill the current void.

Campbell Hepburn, National Practice Manager for Hudson IT&T, commented: “The candidates' market will see skilled IT workers juggling multiple job offers and shopping around.”

The answer to the IT skills shortage problem could lie beyond New Zealand shores, as organisations are showing increasing signs of the need to bring in talent from abroad. Wellington recruiter AbsoluteIT opened an office in London last November, which has apparently attracted huge interest from Brits looking to settle permanently or temporarily in New Zealand.