People and Workforce
People are Clutha's
Greatest Strength
Clutha is home to a capable, productive and resilient workforce, supported by generations of experience across agriculture, manufacturing, engineering, construction, healthcare, tourism and the wider service sector.
Businesses benefit from a strong work ethic, practical skills, and a community that values innovation, collaboration and continuous learning. Combined with workforce attraction initiatives, education partnerships and access to the wider Otago labour market, Clutha provides businesses with confidence that they can attract, develop and retain the people they need to grow.
Why Businesses Choose Clutha's Workforce
Strong, Resilient Economy
Growing while the national economy contracted.
Leading Food, Fibre & Forestry
One of New Zealand's strongest food, fibre and forestry regions.
Advanced Manufacturing
Strong processing capability and export industries.
Capacity for Growth
Affordable land, available workforce, excellent infrastructure and supportive local partnerships.
At a Glance
Indicator |
Latest Figure |
Population |
18,803 (Estimated Resident Population, 2025) |
Filled Jobs |
9,609 |
Business Units |
3,069 |
Labour Productivity |
$138,797 GDP per filled job |
Self-employed Workforce |
1,901 people (19.8%) |
Unemployment Rate |
2.3% (March 2026 Quarterly Monitor) |
Largest Employing Industry |
Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing (28.4% of employment) |
Second Largest Employing Industry |
Manufacturing (19.4% of employment) |
A Skilled and
Diverse Workforce
Clutha's workforce reflects the diversity of the district's economy.
Highly skilled people work across agriculture, food and fibre, manufacturing, engineering, healthcare, education, tourism and professional services, creating a broad base of technical knowledge and practical experience.
The district also benefits from international workers who make an important contribution across a number of sectors, helping businesses meet workforce needs while enriching local communities.
Workforce Development
Developing local talent is an important part of Clutha's long-term economic success.
Clutha Development works alongside employers, schools, tertiary providers and industry partners to strengthen workforce capability through education, training and career development initiatives.
This includes:
Attracting and
Retaining Talent
Clutha offers more than employment opportunities.
Affordable housing, connected communities, short travel times and an outstanding lifestyle all contribute to attracting people to the district and encouraging them to build long-term careers here.
Clutha Development actively supports employers through workforce attraction campaigns, recruitment assistance, relocation resources and initiatives that help people successfully settle into the district.
A Growing Labour Market
Businesses located in Clutha can recruit from both the district and the wider Otago region.
The district's strategic location and proximity to Dunedin provide access to a broader labour market, while Clutha's own communities continue to develop local talent through education, training and workforce initiatives.
This combination of local capability and regional accessibility provides businesses with greater flexibility when recruiting for specialist and skilled roles.
Looking Ahead
Population growth, skills development and workforce attraction remain priorities for Clutha's future.
Working alongside employers, education providers, government agencies and community organisations, Clutha Development is helping build a workforce that can support existing businesses while enabling new investment and economic growth across the district.