How is the job market for economists and finance professionals in New Zealand?

How is the New Zealand economy currently doing and how is the job market in the area of finance?

I am from US and I will be doing a PhD in Economics in Wellington. I also want to do some consulting work in accounting and finance while working on my research.

Thanks.

You're going to Victoria University in Wellington? Ask your supervising Professor, he or she is probably best qualified to answer that.

It will also depend on whether your visa allows you to work in those fields. Generally though, I would think that's a pretty tight market at the moment. To work in accounting in NZ you would need to have NZ accounting certification.

EDIT: About the accounting requirements. You may want to contact the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants for more details. You will need NZ certification for many accountancy roles (which would require an exam) because of the legal aspect. In some cases you may not. The institute will be able to give you full details. Good luck!

http://www.nzica.com//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home1

At the moment it is poor and limited thanks to the credit crunch/gobal financial crisis. Just like everywhere else.

But if you get in the academic circle they will probably be able to network you a job.