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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Roofers
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
We are currently looking for experienced roofers for on going work.
Advantage if you have EWP and Site Safe.
Great company to work for.
What we are looking for:
Previous experience in roofing
Knowledge of the roofing and building code
Has reliable transport
Solid work ethic and to turn up each day
What we offer:
Competitive pay
PPE supplied
Help with training if required
Progression in the team
If this sounds like you apply online today
Apply Now
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Mining Laboratory Labourers Required
City:
Dunedin
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
4/02/2026
Laboratory Technician
We’re on the hunt for a reliable, safety-focused worker to join our client’s lab team at Macraes Mine. You’ll play a key role in processing rock samples used in mining operations. This is a physical, hands-on role that involves machine operation and working in a dusty environment with full safety gear provided.
Location: Macraes Mine, inland from Palmerston
Start date: Immediate start available
Pay rate: $28 per hour (guaranteed 48 hours per rotation, all breaks paid)
What the job involves:
Processing rock (dust) samples through various stages
Operating machines to…..
Machine Operator
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
Proudly part of New Zealand's manufacturing heritage, our client has been delivering high-quality rubber and polymer products for over a century. With more than 150 injection moulding and extrusion machines and in-house tool and machine production, they're leaders in innovation and precision manufacturing.
We're currently seeking a Machine Operator to join their team on night shift.
Shifts available:
• Night Shift: 6:00pm - 6:00am
Training will be on a 42-hour week, Monday to Friday. Shift p