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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Painter
City:
Napier / Hastings
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
14/11/2025
We're looking for an experienced Painter to join our client based in Hastings for a short-term contract.
If you've got a good eye for detail, know your way around prep and finish work, and can get the job done safely and efficiently - we want to hear from you!
Key Responsibilities:
Preparing surfaces for painting (sanding, scraping, priming, etc.)
Applying paint, varnish, and other finishes using brushes, rollers, or spray equipment
Ensuring work areas are clean and safe
Following all heal
Solar Installer
City:
Napier / Hastings
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We're happy to offer a full-time, permanent job with our award-winning client, who is looking for a motivated and skilled Solar Installer to join their growing team.
In this hands-on position, you'll be installing solar panels, wiring, and helping with maintenance and troubleshooting. This work helps New Zealanders save on energy costs and supports a more sustainable future. Our client wants someone who has a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and a desire to grow within a supportive team.
Civil - Truck Drivers/ Drainlayers
City:
Dunedin
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We're looking for a variety of people experienced in roading, whether that's as an
operator/truck driver or drainlayer.
Operators must have proven skill in final trim and experience final trimming for roads,
footpaths, kerb prep amongst other things. As this is roading, you must have WTR to be considered.
Truck Drivers - Class 4 and 5, with some labouring as required. Road ranger experience is a MUST, and you will be put to the test in hilly areas. These roles will be operating tip trucks, a
Skilled Labourer
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
16 days ago
We’re on the lookout for skilled labourers to join a busy team in Takanini. This role is ideal for safety-focused individuals who can work confidently in confined spaces and are ready to start immediately. If you’ve got the right tickets and a great attitude, we want to hear from you.
Location: Takanini, Auckland
Start date: Immediate start available
Pay rate: $30+ per hour (paid weekly)
You’ll be responsible for:
Assisting with clean-up tasks in confined spaces
Supporting site teams with general labouring as required
Maintaining a strong focus on health and safety at all times
To be s…..