Trades & Services Jobs
About the Trades & Services Industry 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.
Globally, skilled trades are the highest in demand. The bottom line is that New Zealand needs skilled tradespeople to contribute to its development, and last year the Trades and Services industry was booming. It was among the fastest-growing industries on SEEK with a 16.9% increase in job opportunities. The industry recorded more than 3,400 new roles year-on-year and the average advertised salary was $59,646.
Growth in this industry was driven primarily by the housing market in Auckland, with the city accounting for 9.4% of the total growth in job opportunities year-on-year.
Roles advertised in Automotive Trades made up the biggest contribution to the overall growth in Trades & Services, with 3.7% growth in job opportunities year-on-year. This was followed by Labourers (2.5%) and roles in the Building Trades (2.3%).
Demand for Trades and Services in New Zealand
New Zealand suffers from a significant skills shortfall in the Trades & Services industry and there is subsequently a strong demand for talented individuals across a number of roles. The current shortage amounts to around 60,000 workers in building and construction alone.
The growth in job opportunities across Building Trades (2.3%) and Labouring (2.5%) was driven by the housing boom. New Zealand needs to continue to build more than 30,000 new homes each year if we are to keep up with rising demand. Half of the jobs shortfall is estimated to be for trades qualified workers. That translates into great opportunities for those considering construction as a career.
In addition, the building and construction industry is becoming increasingly specialised, meaning that there are qualifications available for specialized trades, and plenty of scope for employment in these areas.
The sector can be broken down into the following categories:
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Automotive trades
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Labourers
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Building trades
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Technicians
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Welders & Boilermakers
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Carpentry & Cabinet Making
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Cleaning Services
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Fitters, Turners & Machinists
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Gardening & Landscaping
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Hair & Beauty Services
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Nannies & Babysitters
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Locksmiths
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Bakers & Pastry Chefs
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.
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Automotive Electrician
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Diesel Motor Mechanic (including Heavy Vehicle Inspector)
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Electrician (General)
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Electric Line Mechanic
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Baker
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Bricklayer
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Carpenter
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Carpenter and Joiner
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Composite Technician
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Electronic Equipment Trades Worker
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Fibrous Plasterer
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Floor Finisher
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Glazier
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Joiner
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Metal Casting Trades Worker (Foundry Moulder)
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Metal Fabricator
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Metal Machinist (First Class) (CNC Machinist)
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Motor Mechanic (General)
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Motor Mechanic (General) (Automotive Air Conditioning Technician)
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Panel Beater
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Plastics Technician
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Plastics Engineer
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Roof Tiler
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Roof Plumber
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Scaffolder
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Sheetmetal Trades Worker
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Solid Plasterer
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Stonemason
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Vehicle Painter
Featured Jobs
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Labourers
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
Onestaff needs reliable labourers for a variety of work to start NOW! These are temporary work assignments.
Work is all across Christchurch so your own reliable transport is a must.
We have jobs across vertical and horizontal construction, marquee work, pick/ pack and freight sorting.
Shifts are mostly days but we also have some afternoons and nights available
Rates of pay are from $23.50-26.00 per hour.
Please apply online now or send in an up to date CV.
Apply Now
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Crate Washer
City:
Palmerston North
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
The Role:
As a Machine Operator, you'll be part of a small, supportive team responsible for running a large sanitation machine. Key tasks include feeding crates into the machine, inspecting them, and palletising them once clean. It is very repetitive and physically demanding role.
Key Responsibilities:
Unstack crates from pallets and prepare them for sanitising
Inspect crates for damage and remove any branding or price labels
Remove cleaned crates from the conveyor and stack them onto palle
Demolition Labourers
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Are you keen for fulltime work?
We are looking for hard working people who have proven experience in demolition work.
We do need you to have:
- Your own reliable vehicle and minimum of restricted licence
- A good work ethic, be motivated to show up to work and put in full effort while you are there
- Be able to commit to fulltime work (Monday - Friday)
- Ability to pass a pre-employment drug test
- Be able to start immediately
If you are keen to find out more please apply now!
Apply Now
Digger Operator Class 2 Driver/Labourer
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
We are looking for a experienced and competent digger operator.
What you will need to succeed:
WTR
Available immediately
Experienced in drainage is a bonus
Reliable
Be open to help the team on the ground
Quick and accurate
Good health and safety focus
Fit and able to meet the physical demands of the job
Good hourly rate paid, based on skills and experience.
If that sounds like you, please apply online today.
Apply Now
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