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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Directional Driller
City:
Napier / Hastings
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
Our client is a Civil company, who have been providing services in Hawkes Bay since 2006. They specialize in installing electrical, communications, gas, water, irrigation, sewer, and storm water.
They are looking for an experienced directional driller. We want to find the right fit for the organization as this is a small locally run business, which we believe is all part of the appeal. You are not just a number to a large organization. If you believe that you might be this person, then please g
Forklift Driver
City:
Otago / Southland
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
28/01/2026
Are you an experienced Forklift Operator looking for work in Queenstown? Tradestaff is currently hiring skilled forklift drivers to join our clients’ team in the Queenstown area.
Key Responsibilities:
Operate forklifts and other material handling equipment safely and efficiently
Load, unload, and stack goods with care
Ensure accurate inventory tracking and documentation
Inspect equipment before and after use
Maintain a clean and organized work area
Follow all health and safety regulations and procedures
Work collaboratively with team members and supervisors
What we're looking for:
Va…..
Residential Carpenter - Wanted Immediately!
City:
Dunedin
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
19/01/2026
Residential Carpenter
Are you looking for a new building site in the new year? We’re looking for an experienced Residential Carpenter to join a respected high-end building crew in Dunedin. If you take pride in precision work and want to be part of well-organised, quality-focused projects, this is the role for you.
Location: Dunedin
Start date: Immediately
Pay rate: $32–36 per hour (paid weekly)
You’ll be responsible for:
Framing, cladding, and finishing carpentry
Reading and interpreting construction plans
Working with timber and concrete materials
Following NZ Building Code standards…..
Skilled Labourers
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
Our client is looking for fit and strong labourers to support their team on different projects based in Auckland.
Workdays and hours will vary.
Pay rate: $25 - $30 per hour depending on your experience
We are seeking:
Builders/Carpenters
Drainlayers
Traffic Controllers
Welders/Fabricators
Joiners
You must be reliable and willing to lend a hand on site in other areas if needed.
Successful applicants must:
Provide 2 contactable references
Pass a pre-employment drug test
Return a clean