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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Casual On-Call Worker
City:
Hamilton
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
14/11/2025
We're looking for a reliable and safety-conscious individual to join our team for casual, on-call work. This role would suit someone who enjoys variety, is flexible with availability, and can step in when needed at short notice.
What we're looking for:
Holds a current EWP (Elevated Work Platform) licence
Physically fit and comfortable working in a hands-on environment
Reliable, punctual, and able to follow instructions
Committed to maintaining high health and safety standards
A positive at
Drainlayer
City:
Waikato
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
9 days ago
We’re on the lookout for experienced drainlayers to join hardworking crews across Hamilton. Multiple roles are available now, with both short-term and long-term opportunities depending on your skills and availability.
Location: Hamilton
Start date: Immediate start available
Pay rate: $35–45 per hour (paid weekly; higher rates possible with water reticulation certification)
Duties include:
Installing, maintaining, and repairing drainage systems for wastewater and stormwater
Excavating trenches and laying pipes
Reading and interpreting drainage plans and specifications
Connecting new sys…..
Moxi Class 4 Driver
City:
Gisborne
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
14/11/2025
We're currently looking for an experienced Moxi Class 4 Driver to join our client's team in Gisborne. This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a hardworking crew contributing to major civil and earthworks projects in the region
About the Role:
You'll be operating Moxi dump trucks across a range of civil works sites, ensuring materials are safely and efficiently transported. This is a hands-on role where reliability, attention to detail, and teamwork are key.
Payrate:
Starting from $30.
Asphalt Equipment Operator
City:
Wellington
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
14/11/2025
We’re on the lookout for an experienced Asphalt Equipment Operator to join our client’s night shift crew in Wellington. You’ll be working on a mix of exciting projects — from runways to motorways — helping to keep the region moving.
What You’ll Do:
Operate paving machines, rollers, skid steers, and tractor brooms
Carry out asphalt works on runways, motorways, and other road infrastructure
Ensure high-quality workmanship while maintaining safety standards
Work efficiently as part of a skille