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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Hydro Excavation
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Extrastaff are on the search for skilled and motivated Hydrovac Operators to join our clients tight knit team. You will be required to safely operate hydrovac trucks to perform safe excavation around services
This role is 80% labouring and 20% driving.
What's on offer;
Consistent ongoing work, with a stong forward workload
Competitive pay rates based on experience
Training and upskilling available
Great company culture
What you will bring to the table:
Have proven experience on hydrovac
Drainage Forman\Operator
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Do you want to work for a company with a great reputation and strong forward workload covering the whole South island?
Extrastaff are looking for experienced excavator operators, who are well versed in trenching, installing and working around services, final trim, prepping for asphalt, concrete, foundations and more.
You must be physically fit and able to help on the ground as required.
A range of experience is great, let us know in your application what types of drainage experience you have.
Carpenter
City:
Napier / Hastings
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
1/02/2026
Carpenter/Leading Hand
We’re on the lookout for qualified carpenters to join our team and work across a range of civil projects throughout the Hawkes Bay region.
The Leading Hand Carpenter role will be for a tradesperson responsible for coordinating on-site carpentry works, supervising apprentices and labourers, and ensuring projects are completed safely, on time, and to a high standard. The role bridges the gap between site management and the carpentry team, providing hands-on leadership while actively working on the tools.
If you're physically fit, adaptable, and ready to put your skills …..
Rigger wanted for Immediate Start
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
About the Role:
We are seeking a skilled and dedicated Rigger to join our thriving team. This permanent role offers an exciting opportunity to work on a variety of construction projects, ensuring that structures are built efficiently and safely. If you are passionate about construction and looking to make a tangible impact, this role is for you.
Key Responsibilities:
Assemble and disassemble rigging equipment for onsite operations.
Ensure the safe and effective management of rigging operatio