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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Carpenters
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Onestaff is looking for Carpenters who are keen to work across the South Island.
You must be Trade Qualified or have 3 years NZ Carpentry experience. Work is both residential and commercial environments and is on long term projects.
In some instances accommodation can be provided.
Our ideal candidate will have well-rounded skills across all aspects of construction, with a can-attitude and the ability to work independently or as part of a small team.
You will need to be equipped with our own
General Labourer
City:
Otago / Southland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Description
Labourers - Invercargill
OneStaff Invercargill is the leading supplier of temporary and permanent staff to many industrial-based clients in Southland.
OneStaff Invercargill is looking for reliable Labourers to join our team for a variety of temporary roles across Southland. With short & long-term opportunities in 2026, work could include Civil, Construction, Warehousing, Truck Driving , Forklifting and more.
What we're looking for:
Physically fit and ready to work
Candidates th
Excavator Operator
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Extrastaff is seeking a skilled Excavator Operator to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have previous experience in a similar role, along with a commitment to providing high-quality workmanship in a safe and secure environment.
Key responsibilities:
Operating an excavator to dig holes, lift heavy objects, and compact earth.
Performing equipment inspections to ensure machines are operating at peak efficiency and safety.
Carrying out minor repairs and maintenance tasks on the exc
Experienced concrete worker needed!
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
As part of our ongoing growth, we are currently looking for an Experienced Concrete Worker to be part of our versatile and dynamic team in our precast yard, based in North Canterbury.
Job Responsibilities:
Performing various concrete tasks including mixing, pouring, and finishing.
Comprehending blueprints and site plans to implement construction projects.
Providing necessary support to the team, ensuring health and safety measures are followed consistently.
What we require:
Previous experi