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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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
All-Rounder Operator
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We’re looking for someone who isn’t just an excavator operator, but someone who can turn their hand to most things.
If you can run a loader, jump in a skid steer or a dozer, you’re the kind of person we are looking for.
If you’ve got your class 2, 4 (or 5), or can operate a grader, that’s definitely an advantage.
This role will give you plenty of variety and build on your existing skillsets to advance your career.
You must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and and police check.
Wha
Confined spaces labourer
City:
Wellington
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
about 1 month ago
We’re on the lookout for a physically fit labourer with a current confined spaces ticket to join a drainage crew in Ōtaki. If you’re keen to work outdoors, enjoy being part of a team, and are ready to start immediately, this could be the opportunity for you.
Location: Ōtaki, Kāpiti Coast
Start date: Immediate start available
You’ll be responsible for:
Moving materials and assisting with site work
Supporting drainage installation and repairs
Working safely in confined spaces
To be successful, you’ll need:
A current confined spaces ticket - Necessary
Good level of physical fitness
Prev…..
All-rounder Excavator Operator - Auckland
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We’re looking for someone who isn’t just an excavator operator, but someone who can turn their hand to most things. You must be able to work productively unsupervised and deliver high quality results, attention to detail is very important.
To qualify for this role, you will need to be able to read plans, cut and fill to height, have experience with different attachments (especially augers) and be comfortable working on tricky hill sites.
This role will give you plenty of variety and build on y