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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Die Cutter Operator
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Essential Functions
Set up and run the Die Cutter according to customer specifications.
Examine job orders to determine quantity to be cut, stock specifications, and special instructions.
Review scheduling list, prepare required materials to properly execute production of orders.
Set and adjust speed, positions, and pressure tolerances of equipment.
Continuously examine products for visual defects and apply correcting solutions to defects.
Work independently, or work as a team, and manage
Hammerhands looking to finish apprenticeships wanted
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Join a dynamic and growing company that prides itself on creating high-quality construction projects while fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment. With a commitment to craftsmanship and professional development, we are dedicated to helping our team members grow their skills and achieve their career goals.
About the Role:
We are on the lookout for dedicated hammerhands eager to finish their apprenticeships and take their carpentry careers to the next level. This permanent rol
Manufacturing Work
City:
Manawatu / Whanganui
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
The Opportunity
Join a fast-moving production team and put your factory experience to work in the cardboard manufacturing industry based in Levin. This hands-on role is perfect for those who enjoy physical work, thrive in busy environments, and want to grow within a long-standing, global company.
You'll operate high-speed machinery, handle finished goods, and help keep production running smoothly - all while getting paid to stay fit and active.
Perks of the job:
Permanent opportunities for r
Brush Hands
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
We are looking for 3x skilled brush hands for remedial paint works on a large project in central Christchurch
It is essential that you
Hold a current EWP
Hold a current Site Safe
Are confident and happy working at height
Have experience working as a brush hand - we will also look at candidates who have done concrete repair work or similar
Have your own transport to get to and from work
Are able to commit to fulltime work (40 - 50 hours per week)
Can commence work immediately
Can pass a