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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Drainlayer – Work & Live in New Zealand
City:
All New Zealand
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
Looking for a fresh start in one of the most scenic countries on earth? We’re seeking skilled drainlayers for projects across New Zealand. If you’ve got the experience and qualifications, we can help you make the move and enjoy everything NZ has to offer — on and off the job site.
Location: Various sites across New Zealand
Start date: Get in touch today to start your journey to NZ for 2026
Pay rate: Competitive rates offered – based on experience
We have residential and commercial drainage work available nationwide, with duties including:
Installation and repair of stormwater and wastewat…..
Experienced Plasterer Wanted - Immediate start available
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Description:
Are you an experienced plasterer looking to further your career?
Join a growing business who prides themselves on having successfully completed commercial restoration projects within the Canterbury region.
Who Are We:
Our Client is an award-winning construction company, having achieved runner up status at the Deloitte 2015 New Zealand business growth awards, and New Zealand Winner of the 2015 Fastest growing service company.
Position: Plasterer
What were looking for:
Minimum
Class 2 to 5 Drivers
City:
Taranaki
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
OneStaff New Plymouth is the leading supplier of temporary and permanent staff to many industrial-based clients in Taranaki.
Our client, a leading provider of integrated services in Australia and New Zealand, has been helping to build, maintain, and operate New Zealand's vital infrastructure for over 150 years.
We are seeking Class 2 to 5 drivers to join our client's team. The ideal candidate will have experience in civil roading environments and be prepared to engage in various ground tasks w
Service Manager - Plumbing
City:
Dunedin
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Lead from the front. Own the outcomes. Grow a winning team.
Are you ready to step into a leadership role where your decisions matter, your team respects you, and your results drive real business growth?
Our client is on the hunt for a high-performing Service Manager to take the reins of their Dunedin-based plumbing division — a thriving arm of a respected nationwide business. This is a chance to shape a team, elevate performance, and deliver exceptional results.
This is a leadership role with