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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Asphalt Concreters Wanted!
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Immediate Start
Christchurch Location
Weekly pay
We currently require an experienced Asphalt concreter.
&
ABOUT THE JOB:
Our client is seeking motived experienced individuals with asphalt experience. This is an opportunity to turn into a Permanant position.
WHATS IN IT FOR YOU:
Weekly pay
Temp to perm opportunity
Monday to Friday
PPE
WHAT YOU NEED:
Experience with asphalt
A strong work ethic
Happy to get stuck in
Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen and criminal checks
I
Yard Hand - Dunedin
City:
Dunedin
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Are you looking for a stable job with a great company?
Are you looking for full time work?
Do you like to grow within a company?
Then this is the job for you!
This is a mixed role with plenty of opportunity to grow within the business.
The yard hand is imperative to the everyday running of the business with tasks ranging from customer service, sorting/grading material, processing material with various tools and machinery, keeping our shed clean and organised and working with a small team to
Class 5 Driver
City:
Waikato
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
22/01/2026
Class 5 Driver – Civil Construction & RoadingWe’re on the lookout for an experienced Class 5 Drivers to join a busy civil construction and roading team. If you’re confident behind the wheel and enjoy hands-on site work, this could be the role for you.
About the role:
You’ll be operating a range of heavy vehicles across civil and roading projects, including:
Class 5 trucks
Emulsion tankers
truck and trailer combinations
You’ll be working as part of a team on active sites, supporting day-to-day operations and ensuring materials and equipment are moved safely and efficiently.
What we’re lo…..
Concrete Kerb Finisher - Christchurch
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Our client is a busy and growing Kerb and Channel company servicing the South Island, with most work based in Christchurch. They are looking for an experienced Concrete Kerb Finisher to join their supportive and hardworking team.
What’s on offer:
Very competitive pay rates
Large hours available (average 50-hour weeks)
Training and development opportunities
Great company culture with regular social events
Relocation to Christchurch supported
About the role:
You will be working across kerb