Those looking for IT jobs in New Zealand may find the country's video games industry offers them attractive employment prospects.

According to the New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA), the sector has expanded by 46 per cent this year, driven by growth in the number of online and smartphone titles made in the country.

The body revealed that 114 jobs have been created in the 12 months to September, with 359 people in permanent jobs at present.

A further 99 positions will be created in the next year, with 40 per cent for programmers, 40 per cent for artists and the remaining 20 per cent being management jobs.

Stephen Knightly, NZGDA spokesperson, said: "New Zealand games studios are export businesses, employing highly-skilled technical and creative staff, creating original game ideas and increasingly retaining that intellectual property in New Zealand."

Carol Beaumont, associate education spokesperson for the New Zealand Labour Party, stated recently that the skills shortages affecting the country are absurd given the number of people searching for employment.

Posted by Kate Griffin