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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Service Advisor
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Full Time
Date:
7/11/2025
Ready to take the next step?
If you’ve got the skills, drive, and professionalism to join this friendly team, we want to hear from you!
Apply now with your updated CV and take the next step in your career!
For more information, please contact the team at Muster
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Class 2 Driver
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
24 days ago
Position: Class 2 Delivery Driver
Location: North Auckland
Tradestaff Northwest is currently seeking a reliable Class 2 Delivery Driver to join our team. This is a long-term role with early starts and requires heavy lifting. If you have experience in delivery driving and are physically fit, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
What does this role involve?
Operating a Class 2 truck for deliveries
Handling heavy lifting and physically demanding tasks
Ensuring timely and safe delivery of goods to various locations
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Drainlayer
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
30 days ago
Position: Drainlayer
Location: West Auckland
Pay: $35 - $40
We are seeking a qualified Drainlayer to join our team and help us deliver exceptional service.
Key Responsibilities:
Install, maintain, and repair drainage systems, including stormwater, sewer, and wastewater systems
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Ensure proper alignment, gradient, and installation of all drainage infrastructure
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Plumber
City:
Napier / Hastings
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
1 day ago
Plumber
Are you a qualified plumber looking for a fresh start in 2026? We’re looking for a reliable and skilled professional to work across council and community sites throughout the Hawke’s Bay region.
If you're ready to hit the ground running and make an impact, we want to hear from you.
Location: Hastings and across the Hawke’s Bay region
Start date: January 2026
Pay rate: $34.00 per hour (paid weekly)
Your responsibilities will include:
Assembling and joining pipes using a variety of fittings and tools
Testing plumbing systems for leaks and faults
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