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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Engineering Trades Assistant
City:
Wellington
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
16/02/2026
Engineering Trade Assistants / Mechanical Installers – Lower Hutt
We are currently seeking experienced Engineering Trade Assistants / Workers to join a project team working on asphalt plant installation in Lower Hutt.
This is a full-time, Monday–Friday role offering steady work on a technically interesting mechanical installation project, commencing from mid February.
The Role
You’ll be assisting with the installation of an asphalt plant, with duties including:
Mechanical installations
Plumbing and pipe fitting works
Assembly of structural components
Assisting qualified trades on-site
…..
Steel Fixers
City:
Taranaki
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
OneStaff New Plymouth is the leading supplier of temporary and permanent staff to many industrial-based clients in New Plymouth.
We are recruiting for experienced Steel Fixers for long-term opportunities here in New Plymouth
To be considered for this role, you will need:
Proven experience as a steel fixer.
Ability to read and interpret construction drawings.
Proficient in the use of steel fixing tools and techniques.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
Reliable, with a s
Asbestos Removalists
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
We're looking for reliable and hardworking Asbestos Removalists to join our clients team for a major project located in the Waipa area. This project is long term, offering steady, ongoing work for the right people.
About the Role:
You'll be part of a dedicated team working on a long-term site helping with the removal of asbestos and general demolition and construction work. Candidates who live locally or are happy to travel to the Waipa area are preferred due to the project's duration.
What W