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
-
Residential Building
-
Non-residential Building
Heavy and Civil Engineering
Construction Services
-
Land Development and Site Preparation
-
Building Structure Services
-
Building Installation Services
-
Building Completion Services
-
Other Construction Services
Popular Jobs in Construction
-
Construction Director – Civil Engineering
-
Regional Finance Director – PFI/PPP Contracts
-
Project Manager – Construction Contractor
-
Senior Management Accountant – Special Projects Construction
-
Senior Architectural Designer – Civil Engineering
-
Group Financial Analyst – National Construction Contractor
-
Engineering Manager – Offshore Renewable Developer
-
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.
-
Building Inspector
-
Building Surveyor
-
Construction Project Manager
-
Surveying or Spatial Science Technician
-
Surveying Technician
-
Project Builder
-
Quantity Surveyor
-
Surveyor
Industry Snapshots
-
170,000 - People employed in the construction sector
-
5th - Largest sector in NZ
-
7.6% - of the workforce employed in construction jobs
-
30% - Increase in employment numbers between 2002-2012
-
44,000 - Number of people employed in building of residential and non-residential buildings
-
$30 billion + - Construction sector’s average annual contribution to the economy
Featured Jobs
There are no Jobs available with your search criteria
Please try with another Job Sector or City
Or Check for spelling mistakes.
Civil Project Manager
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Our Client
A long-established civil contractor with a reputation for delivering large, complex subdivisions and high-volume earthworks to a consistently high standard. With a strong forward pipeline across Auckland, they are known for practical leadership, reliable delivery, and teams that take genuine ownership on site.
This is a business that values people who understand how subdivisions are actually built — from bulk cut through to completion — and who are comfortable being accountable for
Labourers with Sitesafe required
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Our client is currently seeking skilled labourers who hold current site safe.
What you will be doing:
Concrete cutting
General labouring
Working with tools
Working on a variety of different projects
What we need from you:
Current Site safe
Construction experience
You are not afraid to get your hands dirty where needed and required
Licence
If this sounds like you, please email lauren.hansen@extrastaff.co.nz
Apply Now
Share
Tower Crane Operators Wanted
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Location:
Auckland, New Zealand
About the Role:
We are looking for a skilled Tower Crane Operator to join our dynamic team in Auckland. If you are passionate about construction and possess a keen eye for detail, this is the perfect opportunity for you. As a Tower Crane Operator, you will be at the heart of our construction projects, ensuring the efficient and safe transport of materials.
Key Responsibilities:
Operate tower cranes safely and efficiently on a variety of construction sites.
P
Civil Site Engineer - Tauranga (Immediate Start)
City:
Bay of Plenty
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
About the Role:
You'll be responsible for assisting with the planning, coordination and execution of civil site activities, ensuring all work meets project specifications, safety standards and deadlines.
What We're Looking For:
Minimum 3 years on site civil experience in New Zealand
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Excellent record keeping and documentation abilities
Computer literate with experience using MS Office and construction related software
Ability to work collabora