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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Diesel Mechanic
City:
Otago / Southland
Job Type:
Full Time
Date:
10/02/2026
Diesel Mechanic
We’re looking for experienced Diesel Mechanics to join busy teams across Otago. You’ll be working with a variety of diesel vehicles and machinery in a hands-on role that offers both variety and challenge. If you’ve got the skills and the right attitude, we want to hear from you.
Otago will be the predominate area of work for this role, however you may also be required to work in the Canterbury region. This will be discussed further with the successful applicant.
About the role:
You’ll be servicing, repairing, and maintaining diesel-powered vehicles and equipment across a ra…..
All-round Civil Operators
City:
Tauranga
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
3/02/2026
All-round Civil Operator We’re looking for experienced All-round Civil Operators to join a busy civil team working on ongoing projects across Tauranga.
This is a great opportunity for operators who are confident across multiple machines and enjoy varied civil work in a strong team environment.
Details
Location: Tauranga
Start date: Immediate start available
Pay rate: $30–35 per hour (paid weekly)
About the role
You’ll be working across a range of civil construction projects, operating multiple types of plant and supporting earthworks, drainage, and infrastructure crews on site.
Key dut…..
Concrete Finisher
City:
Tauranga
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
22/01/2026
Concrete Finisher
We’re looking for an experienced Concrete Finisher to join a busy Tauranga-based crew. This is a great opportunity for someone confident in their finishing work and familiar with a range of job sites and tools. Long hours available and an immediate start for the right person.
Location: Tauranga
Start date: Immediate start available
Pay rate: $28–32 per hour (paid weekly)
You’ll be responsible for:
Placing and finishing concrete
Formwork and boxing
Site clean-up and prep
Steel fixing
To be successful in this role, you’ll need:
At least 2 years’ experience in concret…..
Waterproofers Wanted - Auckland
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
WATERPROOFERS WANTED – AUCKLAND
$25–$32 p/hr + 8% Holiday Pay
Skilled in waterproofing? Looking for reliable hours, solid pay and ongoing work? Let’s talk.
We’re seeking waterproofers (or labourers confident in waterproofing tasks) to join crews across Auckland. You don’t need years of experience — just the right skills, attitude, and willingness to get stuck in.
What We’re Looking For:
Previous waterproofing experience (commercial or residential)
TPO, Torch-On, Sealant, Membrane Experienc