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.
Civil Operators wanted
City:
Bay of Plenty
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
Are you an experienced Civil Operator looking for your next opportunity?
OneStaff Tauranga is building our Talent Pool of skilled and reliable Civil Operators for current and upcoming assignments throughout Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty region.
If you have experience operating civil machinery and are available for ongoing or temporary work, we’d love to hear from you.
What we’re looking for:
Experience operating civil machinery (excavators, rollers, loaders, graders, etc.)
WTR endors
Fire Alarm Technician- Dunedin
City:
Dunedin
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Are you an experienced Electronics Technician looking for a new challenge? We seeking a skilled Fire Alarm Technician to join our team in Dunedin, NZ.
About the Role:
As a Fire Alarm Technician, you will be responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing fire alarm and sprinkler systems across various commercial and residential properties.
You will work closely with our clients to ensure that their fire safety systems are functioning efficiently and in compliance with safety regulation
Production Work
City:
Palmerston North
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
The Opportunity
Join a fast-moving production team and put your factory experience to work in the cardboard manufacturing industry based in Levin. This hands-on role is perfect for those who enjoy physical work, thrive in busy environments, and want to grow within a long-standing, global company.
You'll operate high-speed machinery, handle finished goods, and help keep production running smoothly - all while getting paid to stay fit and active.
Perks of the job:
Permanent opportunities for r
Carpenters
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Onestaff is on the lookout for TQ Carpenters to join our busy team.
If you take pride in quality workmanship we want to hear from you.
What we're looking for
Trade qualification
Strong attention to detail and workmanship
Reliable, punctual and a good team player
Tools
What we offer
Hourly rates between ($30-35p/h)
Holiday pay
Paid weekly
If you are newly qualified or have years of experience under your belt apply NOW!
Apply Now
Share