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 / Apprentice - Christchurch - immediate Start
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
Title: Hammerhand / Apprentice - Christchurch - Immediate Start
Finish your apprenticeship with us, if you're a 1st or 2nd year
Residential housing projects around CHCH
Weekly pay - Immediate start - Top rates
Extrastaff are seeking hammerhands or 1st / 2nd year apprentices to join their talented, dynamic team of close-knit tradespeople.
Extrastaff are seeking a hardworking 1st or 2nd year apprentice or experienced hammerhand for one of our clients in Christchurch, who specialise in residen
Carpenter - Work & Live in New Zealand
City:
All New Zealand
Job Type:
Full Time
Date:
Thinking about relocating to New Zealand? We’re looking for experienced carpenters to join projects across the country. Whether you’re drawn to city life, mountains, or coastlines, NZ offers the chance to build your career while enjoying an unbeatable lifestyle.
Location: Various sites across New Zealand
Start date: Get in touch today to start your journey to NZ for 2026
Pay rate: Competitive rates offered – based on experience
We have residential and commercial opportunities available nationwide, with duties including:
Framing, formwork, and finishing work
Installation of doors, windows…..
Project Manager
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
This is a senior delivery role within a Tier 1 contractor leading one of New Zealand’s most technically challenging live-environment builds. You’ll be part of a high-performance leadership team driving a large-scale infrastructure programme that demands precision, planning, and calm under pressure.
The Role:
As Project Manager (Area Lead), you’ll oversee a major work zone within a nationally significant infrastructure project. Reporting to the Project Lead, you’ll drive programme certainty, qu
Carpenter - Work & Live in New Zealand
City:
All New Zealand
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
Thinking about relocating to New Zealand? We’re looking for experienced carpenters to join projects across the country. Whether you’re drawn to city life, mountains, or coastlines, NZ offers the chance to build your career while enjoying an unbeatable lifestyle.
Location: Various sites across New Zealand
Start date: Get in touch today to start your journey to NZ for 2026
Pay rate: Competitive rates offered – based on experience
We have residential and commercial opportunities available nationwide, with duties including:
Framing, formwork, and finishing work
Installation of doors, windows…..