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Construction Jobs in New Zealand

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Recruitment Agencies we recommend

Tradestaff 

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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

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Scaffolders Wanted - Auckland

City:

Auckland

Job Type:

Permanent / Full Time

Date:

14/11/2025

Scaffolders Wanted – Ongoing Work Across Auckland
About the Role
Extrastaff are looking for motivated and experienced Scaffolders to join our growing team. We have multiple projects across Auckland 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

Roofer

City:

Auckland

Job Type:

Full Time

Date:

Email

Roofers Wanted – Take Your Skills to Auckland!
Your next big opportunity starts here.
Are you an experienced roofer seeking a fresh challenge and a rewarding career change? Ready to work in one of the most vibrant cities in New Zealand? We have the perfect role for you.
APPLY NOW – Join Our Team Today!
Tradestaff is actively searching for skilled Residential and Commercial Roofers to join high-demand projects across Auckland. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a qualified tradesperson, we want to hear from you!
What You’ll Be Doing:
Every day brings something new! You’ll be diving…..

Scaffolders - all levels considered

City:

Hamilton

Job Type:

Temporary

Date:

24 days ago

Scaffolders - all levels considered
We’re on the lookout for scaffolders of all levels — from entry-level ground crew to fully qualified advanced ticket holders. Whether you’re just starting out or already hold your NZ Certificate in Scaffolding, we have a role for you.
Location: Varied sites across Waikato
Start date: Immediate start available
Pay rate: $25–36+ per hour (paid weekly)
About the role:
This is hands-on, physical work that requires teamwork, attention to detail, and a strong safety focus. You’ll work on a range of sites including residential builds, commercial projects, and…..

Roofer

City:

Otago / Southland

Job Type:

Temporary

Date:

12 days ago

Roofer – Dunedin
We're on the hunt for an experienced roofer to join a reputable team working across a variety of quality projects in the Dunedin area. You'll be part of a crew that takes pride in their work and values a solid day’s effort.
Your day-to-day may include:
Inspecting roofs to assess repair needs
Measuring and cutting materials to spec
Installing shingles, metal, and other roofing products
Laying underlays, vapour barriers, and insulation
Replacing damaged joists or plywood
Sealing joints, flashings, and roof penetrations
Removing old materials and installing new systems
…..

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