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:
-
Automotive trades
-
Labourers
-
Building trades
-
Technicians
-
Welders & Boilermakers
-
Carpentry & Cabinet Making
-
Cleaning Services
-
Fitters, Turners & Machinists
-
Gardening & Landscaping
-
Hair & Beauty Services
-
Nannies & Babysitters
-
Locksmiths
-
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.
-
Automotive Electrician
-
Diesel Motor Mechanic (including Heavy Vehicle Inspector)
-
Electrician (General)
-
Electric Line Mechanic
-
Baker
-
Bricklayer
-
Carpenter
-
Carpenter and Joiner
-
Composite Technician
-
Electronic Equipment Trades Worker
-
Fibrous Plasterer
-
Floor Finisher
-
Glazier
-
Joiner
-
Metal Casting Trades Worker (Foundry Moulder)
-
Metal Fabricator
-
Metal Machinist (First Class) (CNC Machinist)
-
Motor Mechanic (General)
-
Motor Mechanic (General) (Automotive Air Conditioning Technician)
-
Panel Beater
-
Plastics Technician
-
Plastics Engineer
-
Roof Tiler
-
Roof Plumber
-
Scaffolder
-
Sheetmetal Trades Worker
-
Solid Plasterer
-
Stonemason
-
Vehicle Painter
Featured Jobs
There are no Jobs available with your search criteria
Please try with another Job Sector or City
Or Check for spelling mistakes.
Trade Assistant Electrical
City:
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
8/02/2026
Solar Trade Assistants / Labourers – Dannevirke - Tradestaff Hawkes Bay is seeking reliable, hard-working Solar / Trade Assistant Electrical Labourers to join a solar farm project based in Dannevirke. The project has recently started and will be going through until until June 2026. We are looking for Trade Assistants who are reliable & will commit to the project.
What You’ll Be Doing
Assisting with solar panel installation
Pulling and laying cable
Manual handling and lifting
General site clean-up and labouring duties
What You’ll Need
Valid Photo ID (no exceptions)
CV and 2 recent work …..
Interior Plasterer Wanted
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
We are a leading interior design business, specializing in creating cozy homes and artistic commercial spaces.
Responsibilities
Apply plaster to the interiors of buildings
Work with designers to determine the final finishes
Create decorative and practical plastering effects
Understand and abide by NZ safety regulations
Qualifications
At least 2 years of experience as a plasterer
Ability to work with various plastering tools and materials
Capable of working in a team, as well as independ
Qualified Painter
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
We are seeking a Qualified Painter for a well-established construction and renovation firm based in Christchurch. This is an opportunity to work in trades and manufacturing, specifically within the painting remit. This role is short term but could be extended for the ideal candidate!
The Role:
Ensuring the correct preparation and application of paint
Using relevant tools and equipment
Fulfilling tasks within the agreed time frame and to the required standard
Maintaining the safety and clean
Driller Offsider- Excellent Culture - Immediate Start & Weekly Pay
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Extrastaff are chasing a few eager, hardworking Driller Offsiders for a client who has on-going work around the city in the civil infrastructure space doing horizontal drilling. You'll be helping out on the ground, working within the drill crew, and learning from some of the best in the business. This is an extremely labour intensive role, however similarly rewarding for the right individual. It's work hard, play hard but with a supportive team around you alongside down-to-earth management.
The