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.
Aluminium Fabrication Assistant
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
We are looking for an Aluminium Fabrication Assistant for a medium sized company that specialises in the Manufacture / Install of Balustrades, Handrails, Windbreaks and Pool Fences in Christchurch and the greater Canterbury area.
In this role you will be working alongside a highly experienced team in the factory producing high quality products for the site team to install.
Alongside impeccable reliability you will be need to be physically fit, not be afraid of heights, and experience in the us
Electrical Trade Assistant- Dunedin
City:
Dunedin
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
To be successful for this role, you must have at least one (1) year experience as an Electrical Trade Assistant.
You MUST pass a drug and alcohol test.
Own set of tools is preferred.
Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.
Apply now if you can tick all the above boxes.
Apply Now
Share
Frame & Truss Manufacturing - Night Shift
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
We work with a large Frame and Truss company in Christchurch.
They are looking for experienced and hard working people to join their night shift.
For this position you will need:
- Previous experience in Frame and Truss assembly OR some hammerhand experience
- To be competent using nail guns
- Your own car and full licence
- To pass regular drug tests
- To be happy working night shift (5pm start Monday - Thursday, 3pm start Friday)
- To have good knowledge around Health and Safety
- Fit