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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Landscaper
City:
Otago / Southland
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
What's on offer:
Competitive hourly rate
Temporary work with potential for ongoing opportunities
Immediate start available
PPE provided
Weekly pay + 8% holiday pay
Duties include:
General landscaping and garden maintenance
Planting, mulching, and weeding
Lawn care and basic hardscaping tasks
Using hand and power tools safely
What we're looking for:
Previous landscaping or outdoor work experience preferred
Physically fit and able to work outdoors
Reliable, punctual, and a good team
Engineering Trade Assistant
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
We're working with several leading engineering and manufacturing companies across Christchurch who are looking for motivated people to join their teams in assembly, fabrication, fitting, machining, and workshop support.
Apply now and let us help you build a career in mechanical engineering.
Benefits:
Short or long term work with potential temp-to-permanent opportunities
Learn new skills and gain mechanical or fabrication experience
Great team culture and supportive environments
Potential t
Concrete Labourer
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Join our team as a Concrete Labourer!
We are seeking an experienced labourer who has worked with concrete before.
You will need to be comfortable using various tools and have good knowledge of what it entails to be working with concrete.
You will join a friendly team where collaboration and teamwork are highly valued. However, you should also be capable of working independently when required. This is a fulltime position with a day shift schedule, starting at 7.00am and finishing at 4.30pm, Mo
Roofing Labourers wanted
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
Location:
Auckland, NZ
About the Role:
We are on the lookout for enthusiastic and dedicated Roofing Labourers to join our team permanently. This role is a fantastic opportunity for individuals who thrive in a hands-on environment and are eager to develop their skills in the trades & manufacturing sector. As a Roofing Labourer, you will contribute to the successful execution of various roofing projects in and around Auckland.
Key Responsibilities:
Assist with the preparation and installation