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.
Scaffolders Wanted
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
Seeking experienced scaffolders to join our fast paced Auckland based team
Ideally you will have:
Scaffold construction experience
Knowledge of safety regulations
Working at Heights certification
Good communication skills
Valid scaffolding certification would be beneficial
How to Apply:
Send your resume to meaghan.mosespene@extrastaff.co.nz or alternatively, apply online now!
Apply Now
Share
<div class="st-custom-button d-inline-block col-2" style="cursor: pointer;" data-network="face
Casual Labourers wanted - Working at Heights Essiential
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Ideally this suits those who are available for casual shifts
What you will be doing:
Labouring
Site clean ups
Solar installs
What we need from you:
Valid Working at Heights
Positive outlook
Valid driver's license
What you'll get in return:
Weekly Pay
PPE provided
Great company to be a part of
If this interests you, please email your cv to lauren.hansen@extrastaff.co.nz or hit the APPLY button.
Apply Now
Share
Concreter - Christchurch - Immediate Start & Weekly Pay
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Extrastaff are seeking multiple hardworking, experienced Concreters for various clients around Christchurch. We are interested in speaking to guys that have pouring, screeding, and finishing experience. To be considered, you will be reliable and motivated with proven experience.
You must have an MOJ with no serious charges (driving offences, for example, are acceptable) and be able to pass a pre-employment drug test.
What's in it for you:
Weekly pay
Superb support from management with clear
Process Operators - South Taranaki
City:
Taranaki
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
OneStaff New Plymouth is a leading provider of temporary and permanent staff to various industrial clients in New Plymouth.
We are currently seeking to build our pool of Process Operators for our client located on Whareroa road in Hawera, Bridge st and Collingwood St in Eltham.
This essential New Zealand food manufacturing business offers temporary assignments to meet seasonal demands.
As a Process Operator, you will collaborate within a team to ensure production targets are met. Responsibili