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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Clientside Project Manager I Commercial & Residential
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Extrastaff are currently working with nationally recognised brands across New Zealand, within the clientside Project Management space. Our clients are determined to create incredible spaces for people to thrive and love taking their employees on their journey of creation as well as getting them to add to it.
About the role:
As the key Project Manager on most projects, your role will include scoping, coordinating, planning, and executing the delivery of a range of projects for clients in a vari
Commercial Carpenter
City:
Otago / Southland
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
28/01/2026
Commercial Carpenter
Our clients are picking up the pace, and we're looking for experienced Commercial Carpenters to join busy project teams in central Dunedin. If you're confident across all stages of a build—from formwork to finishing—and ready to hit the ground running, this could be your next great role.
Location: Central Dunedin
Start date: Immediate start
Pay rate: $32–36 per hour (paid weekly)
You’ll be responsible for:
Installing structural elements including steel and panels
Framing, installing joinery, and completing finishing work
Formwork and boxing for concrete
Reading an…..
Experienced Painters wanted for New Zealand
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
We are looking for five experienced Painters 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 with our projects, so flexibility on work locations is preferred.
The Painter is responsible for:
Read blueprints/instructions and examine surfaces to determine the kind and amount of work necessary
STMS
City:
Manawatu / Whanganui
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
11/02/2026
STMS – Upper Hutt
Tradestaff Wellington is seeking an experienced STMS (Site Traffic Management Supervisor) for ongoing work with a reputable civil infrastructure client based in Upper Hutt. This is a great opportunity for someone local who wants consistent hours, strong rates, and to be part of a solid crew.
About the Role:
You’ll be responsible for planning, setting up, supervising, and managing traffic management operations across civil infrastructure projects. This is a hands-on leadership role where safety, communication, and efficiency are key.
Key Responsibilities:
Supervising and …..