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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Hammerhand
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Extrastaff are seeking hardworking, experienced hammerhands for various frame and truss clients around Christchurch.
These are indoor factory based positions assembling pre-nail frames and trusses to go out to the building industry.
Some sites have both day and afternoon shifts available.
Various locations around Christchurch and North Canterbury.
What is in it for you:
Weekly pay
Option for overtime during busy periods
Training and support
Temp to Perm opportunities
Competitive hourly
Class 2 Driver / Labourer – Traffic Management
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Class 2 Driver / Labourer – Traffic Management
Location: East Tamaki
Pay Rate: $25 – $27 per hour (depending on experience)
Shifts: 12-hour rotating shifts (Days & Nights)
We’re looking for a reliable and hardworking Class 2 Driver / Labourer to join a well-established Traffic Management company based in East Tamaki.
In this role, you’ll be responsible for safely operating Class 2 trucks (both manual and automatic), and supporting the crew on the ground with general labouring duties. If you
Builders Labourer
City:
Wellington
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
about 1 month ago
Skilled Formwork Labourers – Porirua
Start Date: 12th January 2026
Location: Porirua
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, with the possibility of weekend work
We are seeking skilled and motivated formwork labourers for a major construction project in Porirua, starting 12 January 2026. This is a hands-on role with consistent hours and the opportunity to work additional time when required to complete tasks.
Hours
7:00am starts, finishing at 4:30pm each day
Flexibility to work longer hours when required
What the Work Involves (Formwork Explained)
Formwork is the temporary structure used to s…..
Civil Labourers, Operators & Drivers
City:
Tasman / Marlborough
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
We're seeking experienced civil construction workers to join a range of projects across Nelson and Tasman. If you have a background in roading, drainage, or earthworks and are ready for your next opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.
Roles available:
Civil Labourers
Machine Operators (WTR minimum required)
Class 2 & 4 Drivers
We offer:
Competitive pay rates, paid weekly
Variety of civil projects
Temp-to-perm opportunities
All PPE provided
Support from a dedicated team who values you