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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Timber Worker
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
ABOUT THE ROLE - We are seeking dedicated timber workers to join a supportive team. In this full time role, you will be involved in moving and packing timber, operating cutting machines, and supporting various functions across the yard. This is an excellent opportunity for those with some timber experience looking to grow their skills in a hands-on environment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Moving and packing timber safely and efficiently
Operating machinery to cut timber to size - with training provi
Construction Labourer
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Onestaff's client has a large construction site based in the west of Christchurch and needs a labourer for 2 days a week.
The days of work are Wednesday and Thursday and the ability to extend into Friday would be advantage.
Tasks will include tasks such as general clean up, handling materials, wheel burrow, scrim fence fixing and other labouring as directed by the team on site.
Due to the nature of the site there will be alot of walkign so a degree of physical fitness is essential.
Please ap
Forklift Operator
City:
Hamilton
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
We are currently seeking an experienced and confident Forklift Operator to join our team. This role requires flexibility to work across both day and night shifts, depending on operational needs.
Key Responsibilities:
Safely operating forklifts to move, load, and unload stock
General warehouse and yard duties as required
Ensuring all health and safety procedures are followed at all times
Assisting with stock movement, storage, and organisation
What We're Looking For:
Current OSH forklift c
NZ Qualified Carpenters
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
We are looking for experienced Carpenters that are organised and trustworthy individuals who pride themselves on quality workmanship.
You must be motivated and result driven.
The Carpenter is responsible for:
Measure and cut materials to specified measurements, using hand tools, machines, or power saws.
Follow established safety rules and regulations and maintain a safe and clean environment.
Install structures or fixtures, such as windows, frames, floorings, trim, or hardware, using carpen