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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Pick Packer
City:
Palmerston North
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
We're looking for reliable and motivated individuals to join a busy distribution centre in Palmerston North as pick-packers. This is a great opportunity for those keen to learn and grow with a well-established company available to start in the new year.
The Role Includes:
Picking and packing customer orders accurately
Using pallet jacks and pump trucks to move stock (training provided)
Utilise headset voice-picking to track inventory and ensure accuracy in pick-packing
Working as part of a
Counterbalance | Stockpicker | Reach | PalletTruck
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
We are looking for experienced individuals who have their counterbalance, forklift, f endorsement, reach truck, stock picker and/or pallet truck licenses for upcoming work in South & East Auckland
Hourly rates will range from $25 to $30 per hour
Rates will be determined based on licenses and experience
Shifts: Mornings, afternoons and nights - just let us know what work best for you
Benefits:
Full PPE provided to successful candidates
Foot in the door for long-term career opportunities
Cl
Warehouse Workers
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
About the Role:
We’re on the lookout for reliable, hard-working Warehouse Workers to join our growing team for ongoing assignments across Auckland. These are full-time roles with consistent hours and the opportunity to go permanent for the right candidates.
You will:
Pick and pack orders, use RF scanners, and prepare goods for dispatch
Load and unload containers, sort stock, and assist with general warehouse duties
Work as part of a team, follow site instructions, and stick to health & safe
Cabinet Installer
City:
Bay of Plenty
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Cabinet Installer - Permanent Full-Time - Tauranga / Bay of Plenty
About the Role
We are recruiting for a well-established, high-quality joinery and manufacturing company based in the Bay of Plenty region who specialise in custom cabinetry, kitchens, laundries, and wardrobes. They are seeking an experienced Cabinet Installer to join their team on a permanent, full-time basis.
As the Installer, you will be responsible for the on-site installation of custom cabinetry and joinery, ensuring every