Businesses across all sectors are seriously struggling to find staff and fill job vacancies, and latest unemployment statistics out yesterday paint the stark reality.
The jobless rate dropped to 3.4% from 4% in the second quarter, the lowest rate since the start of the Global Economic Crisis in 2008.
All sectors are experiencing the worker crunch - including construction, agribusinesses, healthcare, retail, hospitality and technology.
And with borders closed and migrant worker inflows slowed to a trickle, employers are competing to attract staff.
Kathryn discusses the situation with independent economist Tony Alexander and Director of South Island firm Platinum Recruitment, Dean Delaney.