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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Labourer
City:
Tasman / Marlborough
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Labourer
Exciting opportunity for a dedicated and hard-working individual in Nelson. We are currently seeking a Labourer to join a small, friendly team based company. This is a physically demanding role, hence the need for someone with great stamina.
Key Responsibilities:
Maintenance of the city including leaf blowing and sump inspections
Performing physical work outdoors in all kinds of weather
Clearing leaves from the streets
Inspecting sumps and reporting blocked ones
Driving a ute fro
Electrical Trade Assist
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
We are currently on the look out for hard working and reliable trade assistants within the Christchurch area.
You must have the following experience and tickets:
Completed and passed electrical pre trade course
Experience as an Electrical TA (preferred)
Own basic hand tools minimum
Right to work in New Zealand
Minimum restricted licence and reliable transport
EWRB limited license preferred
Current Site Safe
Must be available to start immediately
In return you will get:
Weekly pay
Ful
Diesel Mechanic
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Full Time
Date:
14/01/2026
If you're a capable Diesel Mechanic who enjoys a bit of variety and wants to work somewhere where you’re treated like part of the family, not just a number, then this could be the right fit for you.
Apply now or get in touch with Matt
at Muster
for further details on 09 394 7444.…..
Service Advisor
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Full Time
Date:
14/01/2026
This is your chance to join a company that’s passionate about cars, dedicated to excellence, and committed to helping its people thrive. If you’re a customer-focused professional with a drive to succeed, we’d love to hear from you.
Submit your CV along with a tailored cover letter highlighting why …..


