While there has been a shortage of chemical engineers in recent years, demand is easing.

The number of chemical engineers doubled between 1996 and 2006, to 1,128 people. However, due to the current economic recession, many companies that employ chemical engineers are hiring fewer people in an effort to save money.

Demand for chemical engineers best in petroleum industry

Chemical engineers who work for petroleum refineries are still in short supply. The job of petroleum engineer appears on Immigration New Zealand's immediate skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled petroleum engineers from overseas to work in New Zealand.

Chemical engineers generally work for private companies across a range of industries, such as:

• dairy or food processing
• wood, pulp and paper processing
• plastics production
• petroleum production
• mining
• water and waste treatment.

Some chemical engineers work for city or district councils, or at universities or other research institutes.

One-third of all chemical engineers in New Zealand work in Auckland. The rest are spread throughout most areas of New Zealand.