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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Yardperson
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
We are seeking a reliable and hard working Yardsperson
This is a fulltime ongoing role commencing immediately for the right person
It is essential you meet the following criteria
Experienced operating forklifts (minimum of 1 year)
Current OSH certificate
Telehandler experience
Self motivated
Happy to labour and get involved with site clean up etc
Available to work Monday to Friday, plus some Saturdays when required
Clean MOJ record
Pass a drug test
Own transport to get to and from wor
Caretaker
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Caretaker
We are seeking dedicated, detail-oriented Caretakers to maintain cemetery grounds and ensure a safe, clean, and welcoming environment across one North and one West location
Details of the role:
The Caretaker plays a vital role in the daily operations of our property, ensuring that the building and grounds are well-maintained, clean, and ready for services, events, and gatherings. This role involves a mix of custodial duties, light maintenance, and event setup/takedown.
Key details:
Work & Live in NZ - Rotorua & Taupo
City:
Waikato
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
#N/A
Looking for work whilist you are based in Rotorua or Taupo and traveling NZ? Tradestaff can help!
We have a wide range of roles on offer and all you need to do is Apply Now and we will be in touch to talk further about your skills and help find your next role!
Tradestaff offers
Competitive pay rates, paid weekly
Short & long term work options to suit your needs
Variety of roles on offer to best suit your skills
Work with your mates, we have multiple roles
With branches dotted all over the country, we offer a unique opportunity to work anywhere in New Zealand while exploring its natural …..