The table illustrates the proportion of employment patterns for males and females in New Zealand in 1993 and 2003. The values are measured by six sectors, namely Manufacturing, Building, Commerce, Services, Information Technology, and Farming.
Overall, men accounted for the majority of workers in information technology, building, and farming throughout[EA3.1] the period, whereas women were represented in services and commerce. In general, the gender distribution became more balanced in 2003, with the differences between men and women narrowing[EA4.1] in most industries.
In 1993, information technology had the highest proportion of male employees, at 80%, followed by farming (75%) and building (68%). Although men continued to dominate these sectors in 2003, their shares fell to 70%, 64%, and 60%, respectively. Manufacturing also remained[EA5.1] slightly male-dominated, with the figure[EA6.1] decreasing from 55% to 52%.
By contrast, services shared the highest proportion of women employees (85%) in 2003. The percentage of services is declined to 60% by 2003, while the proportion of men in the sector rose from 14% to 40%. Women also formed the majority in commerce in 1993, at 55%, although by 2003, both genders accounted for an equal share of employment at 50% each.
Similarly, the proportion of women increased in manufacturing, building, information technology, and farming in 2003.