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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Alimak Hoist Operator
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Extrastaff is seeking an experienced Alimak Hoist operator for a full-time, ongoing role based in the Christchurch CBD. This is a great opportunity to join a reliable, hardworking team on a busy commercial construction project.
Key Responsibilities:
Safe and efficient operation of an Alimak construction hoist
Transporting materials and personnel on-site
Completing daily safety checks and reporting any issues
Following all site health & safety procedures
Assisting with general site duties a
Class 2 or 4 drivers with sealing/surfacing experience Wanted!
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Description
Monday- Friday work
Ongoing opportunity
$26.50 hourly
We are seeking individual who hold Class 2 or 4 and or WTR with sealing/ surfacing experience is a bonus. Our client is willing to train the right people
Hours of work 6am - 6pm, 60 - 65 hours weekly
&
What we need from you
You aren't afraid of hard work
Immediate start
Must be reliable
If this sounds like you, please email lauren.hansen@extratsaff.co.nz or hit APPLY
Apply Now
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Civil Labourer
City:
Wellington
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
Join our team of Civil Labourers and work on a variety of civil construction projects. Whether you’re after casual shifts or a consistent long-term role, we’ve got opportunities that can work around you.
What you’ll be doing:
Trenching, backfilling, and pipe laying
Assisting with concreting and formwork
Supporting operators and working around machinery
Keeping the site safe, tidy, and efficient
What we’re looking for:
Civil construction experience preferred
Physically fit and safety-cons
Excavator Operator
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Experienced all-round Operators needed for ongoing work in Christchurch / Canterbury. Strong forward workload, plenty of variety in the role and projects, large hours over the warmer months and for work out and around Canterbury.
In this role you will need to be hardworking and motivated, willing to get stuck into your role and join a strong close knit team.
Temporary to permanent opportunities.
As an experienced all-rounder you will ideally have experience working in bulk earthworks, site wo