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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Civil Carpenters
City:
Waikato
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
15 days ago
We are seeking Civil Carpenters to join our growing team, working across multiple exciting construction sites in the Tauranga and Mount Maunganui areas.
With an ongoing pipeline of high-profile civil projects, this role offers long-term job security for the right candidate based on performance.
Your carpentry expertise will be key in supporting the foundational and structural aspects of large-scale infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and commercial developments.
Key Responsibilities:
Foundational Work: Construct and install formwork for foundations, including preparing footings…..
Directional Driller
City:
Hamilton
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
14/11/2025
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Directional Driller to join our client's dynamic team. This role is critical in executing precise drilling operations and ensuring optimal wellbore placement. You'll be working with cutting-edge technology and collaborating closely with engineers and field teams to deliver high-performance results.
Key Responsibilities:
Operate and maintain directional drilling tools and equipment.
Interpret plans and execute directional drilling programs.
Monitor
WATERPROOFER
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We are seeking an experienced Waterproofer to join our team. The ideal candidate will have expertise in TPO and torch-on waterproofing systems, and the confidence to work independently on projects of various scales.
Key Responsibilities:
Install and maintain TPO and torch-on waterproofing systems with precision and adherence to safety standards.
Prepare surfaces for waterproofing, including cleaning, priming, and repairing as necessary.
Apply waterproofing membranes to roofs, walls, basement
Construction Manager/2IC - Taupo - Up to $180k
City:
North Island
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We are partnered with an excellent budding T3 construction company in Taupo, who are seeking a Construction Manager/2IC to come in and deliver projects on time and on budget.
About the role:
The site team currently consists of three personnel - an Estimator, a Commercial Manager, and an Administrator - so you’ll be joining a close-knit, friendly team of professionals working across MOE projects, private builds (high end, complex residential projects), as well as a mixture of fitout and new bui