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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Qualified Builder (LBP)
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
About the Role:
We are looking for skilled and experienced Qualified Builders with an LBP (Licensed Building Practitioner) certification to join our team in Auckland. The ideal candidates will have a strong background in residential construction and a proven track record in recladding projects. This role is perfect for builders who are detail-oriented, dedicated to quality craftsmanship, and looking to work on a variety of projects in a dynamic environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Carry out all
Carpenter
City:
Palmerston North
Job Type:
Full Time
Date:
Carpenters Wanted – Opportunities Across New Zealand
New year. New projects. New opportunities.
We’re heading into 2026 with exciting residential, commercial, and civil projects lined up across New Zealand — from small-scale builds through to large, complex developments.
Why move now?
Because if you’re going to put another year into the tools, it might as well be on better projects, better pay, and more consistent work.
If you’ve been thinking about a change, or even just questioning whether to stay where you are, now’s the time to explore what else is out there.
What you’ll be doing
Yo…..
Excavator Operator
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
We're seeking skilled Excavator Operators to join our clients team on a major project in the Waipa area. This is an excellent opportunity to work on large-scale demolition operations with a crew that values safety, teamwork, and high-quality workmanship.
What We're Looking For:
Proven experience operating excavators on demolition or heavy civil projects
Strong understanding of safe operating procedures and site requirements
Ability to work confidently with a range of attachments (grapples, b
Asbestos Removal Worker
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Our clients are a well known and growing name in the industry who specialise in asbestos removal, consultancy, and testing. As the workload expands, the team is growing and looking for removalists and supervisors holding class A and B tickets to join immediately
The ideal candidate;
Holds either a class A or B ticket (both is a bonus!)
Has proven experience within the industry
Commercial or residential experience - either are advantageous
Has a current asbestos medical certificate
Have the