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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Project Engineer OR Project Manager
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
Seeking a Project Engineer or Project Manager for civil/drainage/three water projects around the Bay of Plenty and Tauranga with an entrepreneurial main contractor.
Our client is looking for a recent graduate with 6-12 months experience on civil projects, either a Project Engineer or a Project Manager. This is a great opportunity to get stuck in, with a full-time permanent opportunity on offer. You'll be working on civil drainage and three water projects around Tauranga and the greater Bay of P
Scaffolders - Manawatu
City:
Palmerston North
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
Scaffolders Wanted – Palmerston North
Full-Time | Competitive Rates | Immediate Start
We are currently seeking experienced and motivated Scaffolders to join our team for upcoming projects in Palmerston North. This is an excellent opportunity to secure ongoing work with a reputable company, offering a supportive team environment and strong pipeline of work.
What We Offer:
Competitive hourly rates (based on experience)
Consistent full-time hours
Supportive team culture and safe working envir
Civil Operative
City:
Hawkes Bay / Gisborne
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
5 days ago
Screed Operator – Asphalt & Chip Seal | Immediate Start! Tradestaff Hawke’s Bay is on the lookout for an experienced Screed Operator to join our team for an immediate start with a well-established civil client.
If you have a solid background in asphalt paving and chip seal work, this is a great opportunity to get on site quickly and put your skills to use on key roading projects around the Bay.
About the Role: You’ll be operating the screed on paving equipment to ensure consistent levels, smooth finishes, and high-quality results on both asphalt and chip seal surfaces. You’ll be working alon…..
Scaffolders Wanted - Manawatu
City:
Palmerston North
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
Scaffolders Wanted – Ongoing Work Across Manawatu
About the Role
Extrastaff are looking for motivated and experienced Scaffolders to join our growing team. We have multiple projects across Manawatu and need reliable people who are keen to get stuck in and help deliver quality results on site.
What you’ll be doing:
Erecting and dismantling scaffolding structures safely and efficiently
Checking and maintaining stability of scaffolds to meet health & safety standards
Loading, unloading, and p