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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Carpenter - Work & Live in New Zealand
City:
All New Zealand
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
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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…..
Nightshift Roadmarker
City:
Palmerston North
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
14/11/2025
The Role
Are you looking to get your foot in the door with a company that's been shaping the Manawatu's infrastructure for over 60 years? We're looking for enthusiastic learners and team players to join our client's roadmarking crew. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone keen to work outdoors, develop new skills, and potentially secure an ongoing role.
Key Responsibilities:
Assist with measuring and marking out road surfaces in preparation for painting.
Hold string lines and help guide
Civil Labourer/WTR
City:
Manawatu / Whanganui
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
14/11/2025
The Role
We need Labourers, Traffic Controllers, Drivers, and Operators to join a busy civil construction team working across the Manawatu and Rangitikei regions. You'll handle a mix of labouring, machine operation, and site setup.
If you're experienced, keen to learn, or ready to step up, this is a great opportunity to develop your civil career.
Key Responsibilities
Operate WTR machinery (especially a 12T roller) with confidence and accuracy
Support Foreman with daily civil site set-ups, p
Class 2 Labourer
City:
Palmerston North
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
14/11/2025
The Role
Are you looking to get your foot in the door with a company that has been shaping the Manawatu's infrastructure for over 60 years? Our client is seeking enthusiastic learners and team players to join their roadmarking crew. This is a fantastic opportunity to work outdoors, develop new skills, and potentially secure a long-term role.
Key Responsibilities
Operate road marking machinery to apply precise markings, lines, and symbols on roads, parking lots, and other surfaces.
Assist wit