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
City:
Otago / Southland
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
25 days ago
Tradestaff are looking for a HammerHand in Queenstown. Hands-on site work — help build Queenstown’s next big projects.
What’s on offer?
Competitive rates and weekly pay
Exciting range of projects; residential, commercial and civil projects
Immediate start available
We provide free safety gear (PPE)
Long term and short term opportunities available
The work may include:
Assisting carpenters with framing, cladding, and various construction tasks.
Safely operating and maintaining power tools and machinery.
Measuring, cutting, and assembling materials with precision.
Ensuring workspaces …..
Waterproofers - Relocate to Melbourne
City:
Australia
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Work in Melbourne - Earn Big - Travel and Accommodation Paid - Apply Now!
ExtraStaff is urgently hiring skilled waterproofers specializing in epoxy and tanking systems for a high-end project in Melbourne due to kick-off in September 2025. If you’re a motivated New Zealand tradesperson ready to take your skills across the Tasman and earn top dollar, this is your opportunity!
About the Role:
Join a high-profile, large-scale construction project with a leading Australian company known for delive
Site Traffic Management Supervisor
City:
Hamilton
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
NOW HIRING: STMS – Site Traffic Management Supervisor
Location: Hamilton | Company: Extrastaff
Are you an experienced STMS looking for your next opportunity with great pay, job stability, and the chance to grow your career? Join Extrastaff and play a vital role in delivering major civil and infrastructure projects across Hamilton.
We’re looking for motivated, safety-focused Site Traffic Management Supervisors to join our expanding team. You’ll help ensure that worksites are safe, compliant, a
Class 2 Driver with scaffolding
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Our client is seeking an experienced Class 2 Driver with scaffolding experience.
&
What we need from you:
Valid Class 2 Drivers Licence
Previous Scaffold labouring experience - however for the right person - you will be trained up
MUST be able to get out of truck to labour
Be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen
Be able to pass an MOJ
Not afraid to get hands dirty.
What you will be doing:
Driving class 2
Scaffolding - not afraid to get stuck into work
Various different locations