Construction Jobs in New Zealand
Recruitment Agencies we recommend
Tradestaff
Tradestaff is New Zealand's leading supplier of temporary and permanent workers to the trade sector. With 12 locations throughout the country Tradestaff has a broad range of work available now – from unskilled to highly specialised.
About the Construction Industry
The construction sector in New Zealand employs around 170,000 people across a range of jobs. Construction and maintenance of infrastructure and buildings is an incredibly important part of the economy and influences productivity in the majority of other sectors. The quality of this work also impacts the welfare of New Zealanders in general, from creating safe housing to safe built environments.
The latest reports on the construction industry in New Zealand show increasing growth across all sectors and sub-sectors. They also stress that the industry is an integral part of a highly complex ecosystem which includes regulators, planning authorities, materials manufacturers and suppliers, property developers and a range of professional service providers.
Demand for Skills in the Construction Sector
Construction is a labour intensive activity and many firms report difficulty in recruiting skilled and experienced labour.
The construction sector covers a wide range of jobs and skill-sets, from tradespeople and labourers through to project managers and engineers. The industry is experiencing an unprecedented increase in workload following earthquake damage in some major centres like Canterbury and Wellington. There is also a massive demand for housing mostly centred in Auckland but generally nation-wide.
The biggest concentration of construction workers and jobs is in Auckland, followed by Canterbury, then Wellington, then the Waikato.
Sub-Sectors of the Construction Sector
Building Construction
-
Residential Building
-
Non-residential Building
Heavy and Civil Engineering
Construction Services
-
Land Development and Site Preparation
-
Building Structure Services
-
Building Installation Services
-
Building Completion Services
-
Other Construction Services
Popular Jobs in Construction
-
Construction Director – Civil Engineering
-
Regional Finance Director – PFI/PPP Contracts
-
Project Manager – Construction Contractor
-
Senior Management Accountant – Special Projects Construction
-
Senior Architectural Designer – Civil Engineering
-
Group Financial Analyst – National Construction Contractor
-
Engineering Manager – Offshore Renewable Developer
-
Project Accountant – Leading Construction Contractor
For Visa Applicants: Roles On the Skills Shortages List
If you are offered a job which appears on the list below, and you have the qualifications and experience to match, getting a work visa will be easier. This is because the government has identified that employers need to recruit people from overseas to help meet demand for your skills.
Because construction tends to be a boom-and-bust industry heavily influenced by business cycles and variables like the weather, the industry often experiences skill shortages and a difficulty in upskilling employees.
In boom times skill gaps tend to be met through immigration. Immigrants skilled in construction may therefore be well considered for visa approval.
-
Building Inspector
-
Building Surveyor
-
Construction Project Manager
-
Surveying or Spatial Science Technician
-
Surveying Technician
-
Project Builder
-
Quantity Surveyor
-
Surveyor
Industry Snapshots
-
170,000 - People employed in the construction sector
-
5th - Largest sector in NZ
-
7.6% - of the workforce employed in construction jobs
-
30% - Increase in employment numbers between 2002-2012
-
44,000 - Number of people employed in building of residential and non-residential buildings
-
$30 billion + - Construction sector’s average annual contribution to the economy
Featured Jobs
There are no Jobs available with your search criteria
Please try with another Job Sector or City
Or Check for spelling mistakes.
Scaffolders - Manawatu
City:
Palmerston North
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Scaffolders Wanted – Palmerston North
Full-Time | Competitive Rates | Immediate Start
We are currently seeking experienced and motivated Scaffolders to join our team for upcoming projects in Palmerston North. This is an excellent opportunity to secure ongoing work with a reputable company, offering a supportive team environment and strong pipeline of work.
What We Offer:
Competitive hourly rates (based on experience)
Consistent full-time hours
Supportive team culture and safe working envir
Civil Labourer
City:
Wellington
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
Join our team of Civil Labourers and work on a variety of civil construction projects. Whether you’re after casual shifts or a consistent long-term role, we’ve got opportunities that can work around you.
What you’ll be doing:
Trenching, backfilling, and pipe laying
Assisting with concreting and formwork
Supporting operators and working around machinery
Keeping the site safe, tidy, and efficient
What we’re looking for:
Civil construction experience preferred
Physically fit and safety-cons
Carpenter
City:
Hawkes Bay / Gisborne
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
18 days ago
Carpenter
We’re on the lookout for experienced carpenters to join active sites in Gisborne. If you’re a skilled tradie who’s confident with formwork, foundations, and a wide range of carpentry tasks, this is your chance to get on board with a staunch Kiwi business offering solid, ongoing work.
Location: Gisborne
Start date: 1st December
Pay rate: $35 per hour wages or $54 per hour (contractor rate), paid weekly
Your role will involve:
Carrying out formwork and foundation preparation
Building boxing and shuttering frames for concrete pours
Mixing and pouring concrete accurately and effi…..
Excavator Operator
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Experienced all-round Operators needed for ongoing work in Christchurch / Canterbury. Strong forward workload, plenty of variety in the role and projects, large hours over the warmer months and for work out and around Canterbury.
In this role you will need to be hardworking and motivated, willing to get stuck into your role and join a strong close knit team.
Temporary to permanent opportunities.
As an experienced all-rounder you will ideally have experience working in bulk earthworks, site wo