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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Industrial Electrician
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
11 days ago
Industrial Electricians!
We’re looking for multiple Industrial Electricians to join experienced teams on sites across South Auckland. If you’re skilled, safety-conscious, and ready to get to work, we want to hear from you!
Location: Sites across South Auckland
Start date: Immediate starts available
Pay rate: $35–40 per hour (depending on experience, paid weekly)
You’ll be responsible for:
Installing electrical systems and components
Maintaining electrical equipment and infrastructure
Troubleshooting and repairing electrical faults
Ensuring compliance with safety standards
Collaborati…..
Traffic Controller
City:
Otago / Southland
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
We are approaching the season where we are seeking Traffic Controllers ideally with previous experience or those who have a passion for the civil industry & keeping our people and our roads safe.
Description
Onestaff Invercargill is the leading supplier of temporary staff to a number of large Civil Roading Companies in Southland. Our clients are seeking Traffic Controllers to assist them with the management of traffic and pedestrian movement across various locations in and around Invercargill
Experienced Roofer
City:
Napier / Hastings
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
We're seeking a skilled and experienced Roofer to join our Hawke's Bay client's team, delivering top-quality results across both residential and commercial projects. This is a hands-on role where your technical expertise will stand out, ensuring every job is completed safely, efficiently, and to the highest standard of workmanship.
Key Responsibilities:
Complete roofing projects from start to finish to a high standard.
Working on replacements, new installations, repairs, cleaning, and sprayin
Water Reticulation / Pipe Layer
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Fulltime work available in Christchurch for someone experienced in pipe laying and water reticulation
You will need:
Knowledge in pipe laying and water reticulation
Experience in Civil Construction
Happy to be involved in general labouring duties
Knowledge in repairing water mains house connections
What we can offer you:
Fulltime work
Great company culture
Competitive pay rate (based on your experience)
PPE supplied
If you would like to know more please call Isaac on 021 865 291 or ap