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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Painter Decorator
City:
Dunedin
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
Painter Decorator
We are looking for and experienced or trade qualified painter for one of our valued clients.
This role is for an experienced, ideally trade qualified, painter/Decorator and will involve working on various worksites. The work includes surface prep, roller and brush work, and other associated tasks, including interacting with clients to achieve a great result.
Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa and be living in NZ to be considered for
Commercial Painter
City:
Waikato
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
9 days ago
Experienced Painter – 3–5 Years’ Experience
Location: Hamilton
Pay Rate: From $30.00+ per hour (depending on experience)
We are seeking experienced painters for ongoing commercial projects throughout Hamilton.
What We’re Looking For:
3–5 years’ proven painting experience
Strong attention to detail — this role is suited to experienced painters only
Reliable, hardworking, and committed to delivering quality workmanship
Positive attitude and the ability to work well within a team
Own vehicle and full, current driver’s licence
Health & safety conscious
What’s on Offer:
$30.00+ per hour…..
Pick Pack + Reach Truck Experience - Christchurch - Immediate Start
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Extrastaff are seeking a hardworking pick packer with reach truck experience for one of our clients in Christchurch, who specialise in kitchen accessories including cupboards, hardware, cutlery trays and units, along with flat packs. You must have a clean MOJ and be able to pass a pre-employment drug test.
What's in it for you:
Weekly pay
Superb support from management
Be apart of a major hardware supplier
Great hourly rate dependent on experience
;
What you will be doing:
Picking and pa
Excavator Operator - Christchurch
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Do you want to work for a company with a great reputation and strong forward workload covering the whole South Island?
Extra staff are looking for experienced excavator operators, who is well versed in final trim, prepping for asphalt, concrete, foundations and more. Experience in subdivision work is preferred. If you have drainage experience/ reticulation tickets this is an advantage.
You must be able to pass a pre- employment drug test and have site safe (or be willing to obtain it)
Truck d