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
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Residential Building
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Non-residential Building
Heavy and Civil Engineering
Construction Services
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Land Development and Site Preparation
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Building Structure Services
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Building Installation Services
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Building Completion Services
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Other Construction Services
Popular Jobs in Construction
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Construction Director – Civil Engineering
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Regional Finance Director – PFI/PPP Contracts
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Project Manager – Construction Contractor
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Senior Management Accountant – Special Projects Construction
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Senior Architectural Designer – Civil Engineering
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Group Financial Analyst – National Construction Contractor
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Engineering Manager – Offshore Renewable Developer
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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.
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Building Inspector
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Building Surveyor
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Construction Project Manager
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Surveying or Spatial Science Technician
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Surveying Technician
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Project Builder
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Quantity Surveyor
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Surveyor
Industry Snapshots
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170,000 - People employed in the construction sector
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5th - Largest sector in NZ
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7.6% - of the workforce employed in construction jobs
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30% - Increase in employment numbers between 2002-2012
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44,000 - Number of people employed in building of residential and non-residential buildings
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$30 billion + - Construction sector’s average annual contribution to the economy
Featured Jobs
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Truss and Frame Carpenter
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
26 days ago
We’re looking for experienced frame and truss carpenters to join a busy Glen Innes workshop team. If you’re confident reading plans, operating tools, and assembling timber structures to a high standard, this could be the role for you.
Location: Glen Innes, Auckland
Start date: November start
Pay rate: $30+ per hour (paid weekly)
You’ll be responsible for:
Reading and interpreting blueprints to guide frame and truss assembly
Cutting, assembling, and installing timber frames and roof trusses
Using machinery such as saws, cranes, hoists, and nail guns
Maintaining high levels of accuracy, …..
Class 2 Driver/Drainage CCTV Operator
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
about 1 month ago
We’re looking for an experienced Drainage CCTV Operator to join a well-established team in South Auckland. This role involves operating CCTV drainage equipment to inspect and assess underground infrastructure, ensuring accurate reporting and efficient maintenance. If you’ve got solid industry experience and a proactive attitude, we want to hear from you.
Location: South Auckland
Start date: Immediate start available (role commencing within 2–4 weeks)
Pay rate: $30–35 per hour (paid weekly)
Key duties:
Operate CCTV equipment to inspect drainage systems and pipelines
Record, log, and code …..
Drainlayer
City:
Wellington
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
9 days ago
We’re looking for experienced drainlayers to join major civil infrastructure projects kicking off this November. If you’ve got proven drainage experience and a strong commitment to health and safety, this is a great opportunity to secure consistent hours and long-term work.
Location: Various sites across the Wellington region
Start date: November 2025
Pay rate: Competitive rates (paid weekly)
You’ll be responsible for:
Installing and maintaining civil drainage systems
Working as part of a team to deliver high-quality outcomes
Supporting safe site practices and contributing to project su…..
Civil Foreman
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
9 days ago
We’re looking for an experienced Civil Foreman to lead a team on key infrastructure works in central Christchurch. If you're confident managing crews and keeping projects running smoothly, this is a great opportunity to step into a respected leadership role.
Location: Central Christchurch
Start date: Immediate start
Pay rate: $36–40 per hour (paid weekly)
You'll be responsible for:
Supervising and coordinating daily activities of civil construction crews
Ensuring work is completed safely, on time, and to specification
Interpreting plans and ensuring compliance with project requirements
…..