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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Welders
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
OneStaff are on the lookout for skilled welders and fabricators to join a range of well-established engineering companies across Christchurch — including Rolleston, Hornby, Addington, Bromley and more.
Whether you're available to start immediately or looking to secure your next opportunity, we want to hear from you.
We’re keen to talk if you have experience with:
Heavy structural MIG / flux core welding
Stainless or aluminium TIG welding
Site installation work
Site welding (MIG / ARC)
MIG
Painter
City:
Dunedin
Job Type:
Full Time
Date:
#N/A
PAINTERS WANTED – JOIN OUR TEAM TODAY!
Are you a skilled painter looking for your next opportunity in Otago? We are 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 achi…..
Experienced Landscaper Required
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Are you an experienced landscaper looking to take your career to the next level? We are currently seeking a skilled and dedicated individual to join our team as a landscaper.
About us:
We are a leading landscaping company specializing in creating beautiful and sustainable outdoor spaces. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction and environmental responsibility, we have established ourselves as the top choice in the industry. Our team of professionals is passionate about creating stunning o
Deckhand
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
We're seeking a Deckhand to join our Auckland team. You will not only provide cleaning and maintenance services but also uphold the prestigious image of the company.
Key Responsibilities:
Cleaning and exterior maintenance
Delivering other duties as required
Requirements:
Experience in detailing / cleaning boats, cars or similar
Labour background
Previous deckhand experience is preferred
Own transport to commute to Westhaven Marina and surrounding areas daily
Working with our client will