Amid rebuilding efforts post-earthquake, Christchurch as well as the rest of New Zealand looks forward to steady hiring within the next three months, Dominion Post reports.

The latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey shows New Zealand's net employment outlook for the next quarter was +17 per cent, consistent with the previous quarter and the same period in 2011.

The survey found that 25 per cent of employers expect to increase employee numbers next quarter.

The forecast is outstanding for Christchurch which sees +28 per cent hiring in the coming three months. This figure shows an increase of 11 percentage points on a year ago, boding well for its business dynamics amid recovery and rebuilding.

"The latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey results reflect reports from other labour market indicators that conditions are gradually improving," said Lincoln Crawley, head of ManpowerGroup Australia and New Zealand.

"The unemployment rate is expected to continue its downward trend, and the flow-on effects of the Christchurch rebuild are expected to create continued opportunities in the labour market."

The same survey found 68 per cent of employers had no plans to change headcounts, while 7 per cent meant to cut staff, Dominion Post reports.

Mr. Crawley said the New Zealand hiring outlook is strongly positive relative to other economies that have been greatly affected by the global economic volatility.

Meanwhile, in Australia, hiring intentions were stable at +13 per cent; the US outlook rose 1 percentage point to +10 per cent; and the UK rose 2 percentage points to +2 per cent.