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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Experienced Fitter/Turners
City:
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
Our client is looking for experienced Fitter/Turners to join their team ASAP. Please note that this role is ongoing work and only 1 day a week (Saturday).
Role Overview
Takanini, Auckland
Saturday only (1-day work per week)
$35 per hour
5am to 5pm - some days you could finish early if job is completed for the day
Start ASAP
Key Responsibilities
Carry out preventative and breakdown maintenance on feedmill machinery and plant equipment
Diagnose and repair mechanical faults
Fabricate, mod
Asbestos Workers Wanted!
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Our client is seeking individuals with class A and B tickets
What you will be doing:
Asbestos Removal
Working with Asbestos
What we need from you:
Asbestos A & B ticket
Own Fitted Mask
Must have experience working with Asbestos
What's in it for you:
Weekly pay
Great projects to be apart of
Great company culture
If this sounds like you, please apply online
Apply Now
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Machine Operator
City:
Hamilton
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
We are currently seeking a reliable and motivated Machine Operator to join our clients team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
About the role:
Set up, operate, and monitor machinery to ensure production runs smoothly
Perform regular quality checks to meet production standards
Troubleshoot basic machine issues to minimise downtime
Maintain a clean, safe, and organised work area
What we're looking for:
Previous machine operating or manufacturing experience
Physically fit and capabl
Traffic Signals Sparky/TA (NIGHT SHIFT)
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
12/02/2026
Traffic Signals Technician/Electrician - NIGHT SHIFT Sun-Thursday 7pm-4am
We’re looking for a motivated Traffic Signals Technician/Electrician to join our team working across the North Shore. This is a night shift role suited to a qualified Electrician or a capable Trade Assistant who is keen to learn and develop in traffic signalling.
Location: North Shore, Auckland
Pay rate: $33–$35 per hour (Technicians) | $36–$40 per hour (Electricians) – paid weekly
This hands-on role involves installation, maintenance, testing, and fault finding of electrical and traffic signal systems. You’ll be wor…..