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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Electricians Wanted- Nelson
City:
Tasman / Marlborough
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
We are looking for experienced, hard working and motivated Electricians for various projects around Nelson, with an immediate start available.
To be eligible:
Applicants must have a demonstrable history minimum of one year experience
Be eligible to work in New Zealand
Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test
Be able to work efficiently without supervision
Key Benefits:
Immediate start for the right candidate
Ongoing to permanent opportunities
Great pay
Minimum Requirements:
Mus
Mechanical Technician - Queenstown
City:
South Island
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Long term role available in Queenstown for an experienced Mechanical Technician
This position is working on a waste water treatment plant
What is required from you:
Experience working on or around Wastewater treatment plants
Understanding on fixing / repairing pumps, valves pipes or any other Wastewater treatment plant equipment
Have your Vaccinations ( Hep A/B, Polio, typhoid)
Proven history working as a mechanical technician
What we can offer:
Long term work
Stable position
Great com
Qualified builder
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Our clients are looking for NZ qualified builders, for both commercial and residential roles based in Christchurch. We also have an opportunity for a qualified builder looking to move into a new industry - roofing.
Our ideal candidate:
Holds valid building qualifications in NZ
Has own full tool kit
Has a minimum restricted license
Reliable transport to get to and from work
Two references
Ability to pass a drug test
What we can offer:
Competitive pay rates
Ongoing support in your role