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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Civil Operators
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
Are you looking for a hands-on job with great pay and benefits? We’re hiring civil operators to help with important civil projects around Auckland. If you’re hardworking, reliable, and ready to learn, we want you on our team at Extrastaff!
About the role:
Reporting to Extrastaff as a civil operator, you’ll play a key role in helping to build and maintain essential infrastructure.A civil operator operates heavy machinery on construction sites to assist with infrastructure projects like roads, b
Building Supervisor/Foreman
City:
Dunedin
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
We are in need of a Building Supervisor, with the possibility of upskilling to a Foreman role with potential for permanent employment with our client.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Qualification in Building with preferred experience working as a Foreman. LBP is preferred
- Knowledge within the construction industry
- Must have relevant experience within New Zealand
- Capable of liaising with contractors and building strong relationships
- Able to work on the tools
- Strong leadership s
Builders Labourer
City:
Wellington
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
about 1 month ago
Structural Steel Erectors – Wellington Central (Up to 4 Positions)
Start Date: 5th January 2026
Location: Wellington Central
Tradestaff is seeking up to four experienced Structural Steel Installers for a major commercial project in Wellington Central, starting 5 January 2026.
Duties & Responsibilities
Installing structural steel components in line with plans and specifications
Reading and interpreting construction drawings
Bolting and securing structural steel safely and accurately
On site welding
Ensuring all work meets quality and safety standards
Following site health & safety pro…..
Digger Operator Needed
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Digger Operator Needed!
What is required:
Hold WTR
Must be extremely confident on digger&;
Digging within tight spaces&
Be able to meet strict timelines&;
Be able to work in a high-pressure environment
What&s in it for you:
Weekly pay&;
PPE Provided
Be able to pass an MOJ
Be able to pass a drug screen
Monday - Friday work
Rolleston Location
If you&;ve read this far, and this sounds like something that you could be interested in, please email lauren.hansen@extrastaff.co.nz or hit th