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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SiteSafe Labourers
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
General Labourers – Christchurch & Canterbury
Extrastaff are seeking motivated, hardworking labourers for multiple clients across Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region. Work may include construction, landscaping, building, general maintenance, and civil works
What you’ll be doing
General labouring across a variety of sectors
Physically lifting and moving materials on site (role-dependent)
Working as part of a team on construction, civil, and production projects
Following all OH&S st
Civil Labourer
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
About the role:
Reporting to Extrastaff as a civil operator, you’ll play a key role in helping to build and maintain essential infrastructure.A civil operator operates heavy machinery on construction sites to assist with infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and buildings. They play a crucial role in ensuring the job is done efficiently, safely, and according to plan.This position is a temporary role with full time hours and may have the potential for a permanent full time position.
Thi
Hammerhands
City:
Tasman / Marlborough
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
We're looking for reliable hammerhands and skilled labourers to join a great local crew in Nelson.
You'll need:
Construction site or hammerhand experience
Your own basic tools (for hammerhands)
Reliable transport
Site Safe or ConstructSafe (or be keen to get it)
What's on offer:
$25-$28 per hour (depending on experience)
Steady, ongoing work with a supportive team
If you're keen to get stuck in and take on a new opportunity, apply online now or get in touch with Rosey on 0272220255 or 0
Civil Construction Workers
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
About the Roles:
We have a range of civil construction roles available, including:
Machine Operators (excavators, loaders, rollers, diggers)
Civil Labourers supporting drainage, roading, and site works
General site prep, trenching, backfilling, and assisting teams on site
What We’re Looking For:
Experience in civil construction (Labouring or operating machinery)
Full Class 1 or 2 licence with WTR endorsements
Site Safe Certificate (or willingness to obtain)
Physically fit, reliable, and