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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Hammerhand
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We are seeking a hardworking, experienced hammerhand for a full time long term role in Christchurch.
This is an indoor factory based position assembling pre-nail frames and trusses to go out to the building industry.
Enjoy a site where you will not be rained off!
The hours for this role are:
- Monday - Friday
- 6.00am - 2.30pm
- Saturdays when required
What is in it for you:
Weekly pay
Option for overtime during busy periods
Training and support
Temp to Perm opportunities
Hourly rate
Stand-Up Rider Pallet Truck
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
14/11/2025
We are seeking a confident stand-up rider pallet truck operator to assist with a day-shift role at our clients busy Takanini based site.
Our client are a New Zealand Cooperative made up of everyday people who work together to deliver top quality dairy products to the world.
Working 05:15 to 17:15. You will be required to work every second weekend as this is a 3:2:2 roster.
You will assist with machine operation and other factory duties as required. This is a temp assignment until January 2026
Stand-Up Rider Pallet Truck
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
14/11/2025
We are seeking a confident stand-up rider pallet truck operator to assist with a day-shift role at our clients busy Takanini based site.
Our client are a New Zealand Cooperative made up of everyday people who work together to deliver top quality dairy products to the world.
Working 05:15 to 17:15. You will be required to work every second weekend as this is a 3:2:2 roster.
You will assist with machine operation and other factory duties as required. This is a temp assignment until January 2026
Maintenance Engineer
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
14/11/2025
We are on the hunt for a skilled Maintenance Engineer to join our team in Hornby. This role is primarily working on preventative maintenance on existing plant - very rarely are there large breakdowns or new installations.
You will be reporting to an engineering manager however you will be responsible for completing your own list of preventative maintenance tasks.
Days of work: Monday to Friday
Hours of work: 10am - 8pm
Key tasks:
Complete preventative maintenance on a variety of plant equip