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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Solar Labourer
City:
Waikato
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
18 days ago
Solar General Labourer – Waikato Region
Tradestaff Hamilton is looking for reliable, hard-working Solar General Labourers to join a commercial solar farm project in the Waikato. This project has already started and will run through to April 2026, so we need individuals who can commit for the duration and show up every day.
What you’ll be doing:
Assisting with solar panel installation
General site clean-up
Heavy lifting and manual handling
Pulling cable
Pay Rates:
$28–29 per hour depending on skills, role, and experience
Site locations (approx. travel times from key towns):
20 mins fr…..
Class 4 Driver
City:
Otago / Southland
Job Type:
Contract
Date:
3 days ago
Skilled Class 4 drivers wanted in Queenstown.
Our client is an industry leading nationwide company with a stellar track record and a supportive and dynamic crew.
What's on offer:
Competitive rates and weekly pay
Immediate start
Full time work, long-term position
Safety gear (PPE) provided
A supportive team
Opportunities for growth and development
The Role:
Drive Class 4 vehicles around Queenstown and surrounding areas
Transport materials safely
Complete daily vehicle checks and report any issues
Work closely with dispatch and site teams
Maintain a clean vehicle and professional a…..
Solar Labourer
City:
Waikato
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
18 days ago
Solar General Labourer – Waikato Region
Tradestaff Hamilton is looking for reliable, hard-working Solar General Labourers to join a commercial solar farm project in the Waikato. This project has already started and will run through to April 2026, so we need individuals who can commit for the duration and show up every day.
What you’ll be doing:
Assisting with solar panel installation
General site clean-up
Heavy lifting and manual handling
Pulling cable
Pay Rates:
$28–29 per hour depending on skills, role, and experience
Site locations (approx. travel times from key towns):
20 mins fr…..
STMS
City:
Waikato
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
10 days ago
Site Traffic Management Supervisor (STMS) – Waipa / Cambridge
Full-time | Ongoing work | Great rates for the right person
We’re looking for a confident and experienced STMS (A/B Practising) to join one of our top clients in the Waipa / Cambridge area.
If you’re someone who takes safety seriously, knows how to lead a team, and can keep things running smoothly on-site – this role’s for you.
What you’ll get:
Great pay – rates based on your experience and ticket level
Full PPE and uniform supplied
A supportive team that values what you bring to the table
The role:
You’ll be overseeing dai…..