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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HVAC Tech
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
30 days ago
HVAC Installer
We're looking for an experienced HVAC Installer to join an industrial project in South Auckland. If you’re confident handling installations from start to finish and ready to hit the ground running in January, this could be the role for you.
Location: South Auckland
Start date: 7 January
Pay rate: $40–$45 per hour experince dependant (paid weekly)
Key duties:
Install and commission heat pump and air conditioning systems
Fit off copper pipework and complete gas charging
Manage full HVAC installation process from start to finish
To be successful in this role, you’ll need:
…..
Casual Labourers needed over the summer
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
We are currently looking for enthusiastic and hardworking individuals as casual labourers over the summer season. As a casual labourer, you will be responsible for performing a variety of manual tasks to assist with the day-to-day operations of the company.
Responsibilities:
Assisting with loading and unloading materials
Operating machinery and equipment
General maintenance and cleaning of work areas
Assisting with construction and renovation projects
Following health and safety procedures
Carpenters
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
Onestaff are seeking trade qualified and experienced Carpenters to join our team for largely commercial construction work based in Christchurch and the greater Christchurch area.
What we are looking for:
Trade Qualification in Carpentry
Experience working from foundations to finish on high-detail projects
High-quality workmanship (with references that can verify this)
Reliability
Ability work in teams and independently
What's on Offer
Pay rates between $30-35 per hour and paid weekly
Ho
Truss Fabricator Wanted!
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Our client is seeking an experienced Truss Fabricator.
What you will be doing:
Frame & Truss fabrication
Reading plans
Ensuring Trusses are fit for purpose
What we need from you:
Sound Frame and Truss background - 1 year minimum
Be able to travel to outside of Christchurch for work - Rolleston location
Be able to pass a drug screen
Can pass an MOJ
Strong building knowledge
Competent with both hand and power tools
What's in it for you:
Weekly pay
PPE provided
Temp to perm
Exposure