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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Roofers
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
We work with several roofing companies in Christchurch who are currently looking for experienced candidates to join their teams.
There are positions available for those with minimal roofing experience through to those who have done many years in the trade.
Pay rate will vary based on experience.
We have roles available with a range of companies - some that specialise in commercial, some in residential and some in re-roofing. We can work with you to find the best fit for your skill set.
To ap
Painter
City:
Tauranga
Job Type:
Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
PAINTERS WANTED – JOIN OUR TEAM TODAY!
Are you a skilled painter looking for your next opportunity? Tradestaff is seeking experienced painters to work on a variety of residential and commercial projects. If you take pride in your craftsmanship and want steady, rewarding work, we’d love to hear from you!
What You’ll Be Doing:
As a valued member of our team, your responsibilities will include:
Setting up scaffolding, ladders, and protective coverings to safeguard surfaces
Preparing surfaces by removing old paint, repairing woodwork, filling cracks, and sealing areas
Mixing paints to achiev…..
Electrician
City:
Otago / Southland
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
Electrician - Queenstown
Residential & Commercial Projects | $30-$40 per hour | Ongoing Work
We're looking for a qualified electrician to assist on short-term jobs in Queenstown. Variety of site work, great hourly rate, and weekly pay. Must have NZ EWRB registration and right to work in NZ.
Why You'll Love This Role
$30-$40 per hour (experience dependent)
Ongoing work, Monday to Friday Schedule
Weekly pay
A mix of residential and commercial projects
PPE provided
Supportive team culture
Outdoor Labourer
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
Our client specialises in fencing and landscaping.
They are looking for a reliable and hard working labourer for a fulltime role.
This position involves:
- Digging
- Carrying materials
- Concreting
- Fixing materials
- Using basic power tools
You will be required to have:
- Full NZ drivers licence
- Ability to drive manual vehicles
- Ability to back a trailer
- Site Safe or be willing to get it
- A clean criminal record
You will also need to be physically fit, happy to work outdoor