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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Greenskeeper
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
Class 4 driver/labourer required for Kate Valley Landfill.
This is a temporary assignment expected to be around 3 months.
Duties:
Class 4 Watercart & Tipper driving
Scrub clearing, mowing and weed control
Requirements:
Class 4 full licence
Be physically fit and capable of heavy labouring
Landscaping or gardening experience
Own transport
Pre-employment drug test
Criminal history check
2 x work references
If you are interested please apply online with an up to date CV and we will be i
Drainlayer
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Are you a motivated experienced Drainlayer with a passion for Drainage? Looking for a new career opportunity?
We are seeking an experienced Drainlayer to join our clients dynamic team, working in 3 Waters. If you have a background in drainlaying and are looking for an exciting opportunity to work on large-scale projects around Canterbury (Christchurch and Selwyn), we want to hear from you!
Key Responsibilities:
Installation, maintenance, and repair of stormwater, wastewater, and water drainag
Skilled Labourer - Construction
City:
Otago / Southland
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
24/01/2026
We are looking for Skilled Labourers in Queenstown and the surrounding areas.
Whether you’ve worked on sites, helped with renovations, or just know your way around tools, we want hands-on people who can get the job done. You don’t need to be certified — just confident, capable, and ready to work.
Your role could include:
Assisting trades on construction, renovation, or landscaping projects
Using hand and power tools for a variety of tasks
Site clean-up and preparation
Moving materials and equipment
Supporting skilled tradespeople to keep projects running smoothly
What we’re looking for…..
Experienced Drainlayers
City:
Hamilton
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
We're looking for skilled, reliable and experienced drainage labourers to join our clients team.
You'll need to be physically fit and capable, with a good attitude and a strong work ethic. The role involves a range of hands-on tasks, and you must be comfortable with early starts, late finishes, and stay aways when required.
Requirements:
Previous experience in drilling, utilities, and drainlaying
Reliable transport to get to and from work
Physically fit and capable of manual work
Flexible