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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Concreter - Local Work - Immediate Start
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Extrastaff are seeking an experienced concreter who has pouring, screeding, and finishing experience to start immediately for a valued client in Christchurch. Suitable candidates will be able to run their own job and understand the ins and outs of concreting.
About you:
5+ years concreting experience
Full Drivers licence and transport
New Zealand working rights
On offer is long term,consistent work with a good crew and hands on management. Immediate start is available, however they are will
Qualified/ Experienced Painters
City:
Otago / Southland
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
Are you a qualified/ experienced painter looking for work in the Queenstown-Lakes area? Apply Now!
Reliability and a good work ethic are key. Expect a variety of work environments - Interior & exterior.
What we offer:
Competitive hourly rates (Reviewed and based on experience)
Ongoing temporary assignments with the potential for short/long-term work
Variety in your day - no two jobs are the same
PPE provided
Weekly pay + 8% holiday pay
What we're looking for:
Qualified and/ or experienc
Paver/Landscaper Wanted in Dunedin
City:
Dunedin
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
About the Role:
As a Paver/Landscaper, you will be responsible for installing and repairing pavers, as well as assisting with the construction and maintenance of various landscape projects.
You will work closely with a team of professionals, contributing to the successful completion of projects.
Tasks will include preparing surfaces, cutting and laying pavers, leveling and compacting surfaces, general labouring, and ensuring the overall quality and safety of the finished work.
This role is f
Student Work
City:
Hawkes Bay / Gisborne
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
2 months ago
Looking for Work this Summer?
Want to work with your mates? No problem! We’ve got plenty of roles that need more than one person, and where possible, we’ll get you working together.
Why work for Tradestaff?
No two days are the same! We have roles for people with a good attitude, strong work ethic, and ideally some experience on a construction site or in a physical work environment.
Tradestaff offers flexibility and variety — perfect for those who are confident getting themselves to site and keen to earn solid cash 💰 over the summer months.
What’s on offer:
Flexible start dates
Short and…..