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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Skid Steer / Bobcat Operator
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Do you like working with modern machinery and technology?
We are looking for someone who is very comfortable behind the controls of a tracked skid steer - you will be responsible for taking care of your own machine and producing quality work.
To qualify for this role you must be able to :
Cut and fill to heights confidently - with aggregate and soil
Be able to set up and use laser equipment
Have a good understanding of civil construction and associated skills such as compaction
Be able to
Pick Pack - Rolleston
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
We are looking for Pick Packers for fulltime ongoing work in Rolleston
You will be responsible for moving boxes of food products onto pallets and plastic wrapping them ready to go out for delivery
Morning (6am) and Mid Morning (10am) starts available
You will need the following to be considered for this role
- Your own car and restricted licence
- Reliable and motivated
- Ability to follow instructions
- Ideally some previous pick pack experience
- OSH certificate would be beneficial but
electrical division manager.
City:
West Coast
Job Type:
Industrial Electrical Division Manager – Regional Leadership Opportunity
Location: Reefton, West Coast, NZ
Are you a dynamic and experienced electrical leader ready for a significant career move?
We are seeking an Industrial Electrical Division Manager to join our client, a great company with deep-seated roots in the Reefton and West Coast region. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to step away from the hustle and bustle of the city and take on a strategic position within a well-established company known locally for its quality service.
As the Industrial Electrical Division Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of our electrical division, ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. This is a hands on manager role that will require you to be on the tools.
The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of success in managing teams, developing and executing project plans, and driving operational excellence. You will enjoy seeing your team succeed as you come up with sales and marketing plans, and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Key Responsibilities:
Oversee the planning and execution of electrical projects spanning across commercial, argicultural, industrial & residential.
Manage a small team of electricians.
Provide pricing and quotes to customers.
Create sales and marketing plans to maximise growth.
Be responsible for hiring and training of new staff.
Liaising directly with clients.
Invoicing all work.
Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
Collaborate with other departments and stakeholders to ensure project success.
Monitor and report on project progress, and make adjustments as needed.
Ensure compliance with all relevant safety and regulatory standards.
Requirements:
Suitable electrical trade certification with hands-on electrical experience.
Solid communication and team working skills.
Proven track record of success in managing projects and teams.
Strong working knowledge of operations procedures.
Some knowledge of solar systems installations would be an advantage (Solar experience is a bonus, not essential).
Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
Familiarity with relevant safety and regulatory standards.
If you are a motivated and experienced electrical professional with a passion for leading teams and driving operational excellence in a fantastic regional setting, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, as well as opportunities for career growth and advancement.
Apply today or contact kelly.valter@randstad.co.nz for more information.
At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.
Date:
16/02/2026
Industrial Electrical Division Manager – Regional Leadership Opportunity
Location: Reefton, West Coast, NZ
Are you a dynamic and experienced electrical leader ready for a significant career move?
We are seeking an Industrial Electrical Division Manager to join our client, a great company with deep-seated roots in the Reefton and West Coast region. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to step away from the hustle and bustle of the city and take on a strategic position within a well-establi…..
Casual / On Call Workers
City:
Hamilton
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
We are looking for reliable and hardworking labourers to join our on-call team for various sites across the Waikato area (Hamilton, Cambridge, Morrinsville, Te Awamutu etc.)
About the Role:
As an on-call worker, you'll be working across different industries, including:
Traffic management
Construction
Factory assisting
Warehousing and logistics
Tasks will vary but may include heavy lifting (up to 25kg), standing for long periods, and general site duties.
What You Need:
Physically fit and