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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Groundsman
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Start ASAP, temp-perm opportunity.
Groundsman – Piling & Drilling Crew
Drury Based | Work Across Auckland | Transport Provided
We are looking for a hardworking and reliable Groundsman to join our established Piling and Drilling team. This is a great opportunity to develop a career in a specialised civil discipline.
About the Role:
You’ll support piling and drilling operations on various sites across Auckland — helping set up work areas, assisting drill rig operators, spotting for cranes, an
Construction Technicians wanted throughout New Zealand
City:
Wellington
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
We are looking for Construction Technicians to join our business, Extrastaff Limited. Our growing business requires organised and trustworthy individuals who pride themselves on quality workmanship. You must be motivated and result driven.
You might be asked to work across the country to assist our projects, so flexibility on work locations is preferred.
The Construction Technician is responsible for:
Tasks required of you that is within your skills and capabilities that is necessary for the
Landscaper
City:
Otago / Southland
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
27/01/2026
Landscaper
We’re looking for an experienced landscaper to join a busy team in Dunedin. This hands-on role covers a wide range of grounds maintenance and outdoor tasks — ideal for someone who enjoys physical work and being outdoors.
Location: Central Dunedin
Start date: Immediate start available
Pay rate: $26–30 per hour (paid weekly)
You’ll be responsible for:
Mowing and edging lawns using power tools
Pruning, trimming, weeding, and general garden maintenance
Planting trees, shrubs, flowers, and laying mulch
Spraying or spreading fertilisers, herbicides, and insecticides
Installing i…..
Class 4 Driver
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Extrastaff are looking for a Class 4 Civil Drivers with a proven track record in navigating construction sites. You might be driving tipper trucks, loaders, water carts or rollers! If you don't mind rolling up your sleeves and working with the crew on the ground then this is a role that has it all!
What's In It For You:
Work for a reputable company.
Opportunity for temp to perm placement.
Variety of work
Opportunity to learn new skills
Excellent team environment.
Variety of projects acros