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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Experienced Bricklayer
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We are looking for an experienced bricklayer for work around the Selwyn and Christchurch area.
Ideally you will have:
Minimum of one year trade experience
Your own tools
Own reliable transport
Agreement to pass a pre-employment drug test
Physical fitness
Strong work ethic
If this sounds like you, please apply online or call Cam on 0800 662511.
Apply Now
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Sprinkler Fitter Labour
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We are looking for a skilled and dedicated individual to join our team as a Sprinkler Fitter Labour.
Your main responsibilities will include installing, testing and maintaining fire protection systems in accordance with exact specifications and regulations. Experience in a similar role or in plumbing will be considered an asset, along with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work well in a team.
As an employee of our company, you will benefit from competitive remuneration, ongoing
Experienced Arborist
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We are looking for an experienced Arborist who has a relevant qualification and experience to perform this role to a high standard
You will need to be reliable and motivated to show up for work every day, flexibility with location is a huge advantage. This is a close team of workers so you will need to work well in a team.
You will be working on varied sites, including residential properties, council grounds, private grounds etc, so you will need your own transport.
If you are ready to get st
Warehouse Assistant/ Driver
City:
Napier / Hastings
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
14/11/2025
We are looking for a reliable and motivated Warehouse Assistant/ Driver to join our team. You will provide vital support to individuals in their communities, assisting with delivering orders and completing warehouse duties including pick packing, dispatching, stocktaking, and forklift operating.
We are looking for a dedicated and reliable Warehouse Assistant/ Driver to join our team in delivering stock to health services in a Class 1 truck. This is a hands-on role that combines driving with gen