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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Waterproofers Wanted in Gisbourne
City:
Gisborne
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We are looking for experienced Waterproofers to join our business, Extrastaff Limited.
The Waterproofer is responsible for:
Knowledge of Waterproofing membrane detailing/installation.
Knowledge of Steel reinforcing spacing and installation/layout.
Ability / Experience with work site inspections regarding project progress, equipment condition, and safety or to ensure that specifications and standards are met.
Provide assistance to workers engaged in construction or tanking/waterproofing acti
Experienced Rigger and Steel Erector
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We are looking for experienced Steel Workers in Christchurch.
To apply for this position - you must have:
- Some experience within the Steel industry (ideally 1-2 years minimum)
- Competent use of hand and power tools.
- Varied construction experience an advantage.
- Working knowledge of rigging machinery and tooling.
- Ability to perform erect steel
- Ability to use hand tools and power tools when necessary
- Work as part of a team and follow instructions
- Be a pro active thinker
- S
Casual Traffic Management Work
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
14/11/2025
We are looking for experienced Traffic Management staff to help out on a casual basis over the busy season.
We are keen to hear from anyone who holds TTM, TMO or STMS tickets, if you are interested in casual work.
For these positions you will also need to hold a Full NZ Drivers Licence.
Additionally you will need to have your own transport to get to and from work in any location, sometimes at short notice.
There will be day and night shifts available, and often long hours.
If you are intere
Scaffolders - Nelson
City:
Tasman / Marlborough
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We are looking for experienced Scaffolders for various projects around Nelson.
We need hard working motivated Scaffolders who are available for an immediate start.
To be eligible:
Applicants must have a demonstrable history minimum of one year experience
Be eligible to work in New Zealand
Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test
Be able to work efficiently without supervision
Having your own basic tool kit is preferable
Have your own transport
Key Benefits:
Immediate start for t