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
City:
Hamilton
Job Type:
Full Time
Date:
Ready to Build Something BIG? Skilled Carpenters Wanted in Taupo
We’re looking for experienced carpenters to join a major civil project based in Taupo.
Put your hands-on skills to work on a large-scale industrial project involving concrete, form work, and steel fixing, with excellent pay and the chance to be part of a high-impact build.
What you’ll do:
Perform high-quality carpentry, form work, and steel fixing on a significant industrial project
Work with concrete and other materials as part of a skilled team
Bring your expertise to challenging, hands-on construction
About you:
Minimu…..
programme director.
City:
Otago / Southland
Job Type:
Programme Director – Water Services CCO Establishment
This is a unique, high-impact Fixed-Term Contract until August 31, 2027, offering the chance to shape the future of essential services in one of New Zealand’s most dynamic regions. We are seeking an exceptional leader to drive the end-to-end establishment of a new Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation (WSCCO).
This is a challenging but supported role within an organisation known for its great culture and strong internal support.
The base location for this role is preferably Queenstown, but we strongly encourage applicants who are willing to travel to the region on an as-needed basis to apply. On offer is a competitive salary and to ensure a smooth transition, a relocation support package is available, including assistance with housing, family schooling, and settling into the community.
The Opportunity: Leading a Complex Transition
Reporting to the Executive Sponsor, the Programme Director is the engine driving the transition of water services delivery. You will convert the Council's strategic resolution into a fully planned, governed, resourced, and integrated program, championing the vision for a stable, functional entity ("Day-1" launch is 1 July 2027).
You will lead and integrate eight key workstreams: Governance & Incorporation, Finance, Legal & Commercial, Target Operating Model (TOM), People & Workforce, Data & Digital, Customer, and Programme Management.
Key Responsibilities (What You Will Deliver)
Programme Leadership & Delivery: Convert the implementation plan into a master schedule, own the programme budget, and manage financial forecasting, cost control, and risk management.
Governance & Decision Support: Act as the engine room for programme governance, designing and implementing a robust governance framework, and preparing decision-ready papers for the Executive.
Resource Management: Establish and manage a dedicated transition team, secure internal and external resources, and own the procurement plan for specialist services while ensuring full probity.
Stakeholder Management: Build collaborative relationships and manage day-to-day engagement with Iwi partners, regulators, suppliers, community stakeholders, and Council/Shareholder groups. Ensure Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments are reflected in the design.
Skills and Experience (What You Will Bring)
Experience Level: At least 10 years leading complex, multi-workstream public-sector or utility programmes, ideally including CCO formation or operating-model separation.
Technical Mastery: Proven mastery of programme disciplines (MSP/PRINCE2 or equivalent).
Sector Literacy: Strong Literacy in water-sector regulation (Taumata Arowai and emerging economic regulation), DIA/WSDP expectations, and LGA requirements.
Stakeholder Acumen: Advanced stakeholder capability with elected members, regulators, and Iwi partners.
Integration: Demonstrated ability to integrate all workstreams (Legal, Finance, Governance, Data & Digital, People, Customer) for a stable Day-1 launch.
Leadership: Proven ability to lead change through complexity with resilience and optimism, using exceptional interpersonal and influencing skills to build trust and resolve conflict constructively.
At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.
Date:
14/11/2025
Programme Director – Water Services CCO Establishment
This is a unique, high-impact Fixed-Term Contract until August 31, 2027, offering the chance to shape the future of essential services in one of New Zealand’s most dynamic regions. We are seeking an exceptional leader to drive the end-to-end establishment of a new Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation (WSCCO).
This is a challenging but supported role within an organisation known for its great culture and strong internal support.
T…..
Carpenter
City:
Tauranga
Job Type:
Full Time
Date:
Ready to Build Something BIG? Skilled Carpenters Wanted in Taupo
We’re looking for experienced carpenters to join a major civil project based in Taupo.
Put your hands-on skills to work on a large-scale industrial project involving concrete, form work, and steel fixing, with excellent pay and the chance to be part of a high-impact build.
What you’ll do:
Perform high-quality carpentry, form work, and steel fixing on a significant industrial project
Work with concrete and other materials as part of a skilled team
Bring your expertise to challenging, hands-on construction
About you:
Minimu…..
HammerHand
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
24 days ago
Position: Hammerhand
Location: West Auckland
Pay: $28-$30 per hour (depending on experience)
We’re looking for an experienced Hammerhand to join our dynamic team for a range of commercial and residential projects. If you're passionate about construction and delivering quality workmanship, we want to hear from you!
Key Responsibilities:
Assist with a variety of carpentry and construction tasks, including framing, gib installation, and general building work
Perform demolition work and ensure site safety and project efficiency
Install and repair structures and fixtures such as windows, doo…..