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Trades & Services Jobs

Trades and Services Jobs in new zealand

About the Trades & Services Industry in New Zealand

Recruitment Agencies we recommend

Tradestaff

Tradestaff.png

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:

 

  • Automotive trades

  • Labourers

  • Building trades

  • Technicians

  • Welders & Boilermakers

  • Carpentry & Cabinet Making

  • Cleaning Services

  • Fitters, Turners & Machinists

  • Gardening & Landscaping

  • Hair & Beauty Services

  • Nannies & Babysitters

  • Locksmiths

  • 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.

 

  • Automotive Electrician

  • Diesel Motor Mechanic (including Heavy Vehicle Inspector)

  • Electrician (General)

  • Electric Line Mechanic

  • Baker

  • Bricklayer

  • Carpenter

  • Carpenter and Joiner

  • Composite Technician

  • Electronic Equipment Trades Worker

  • Fibrous Plasterer

  • Floor Finisher

  • Glazier

  • Joiner

  • Metal Casting Trades Worker (Foundry Moulder)

  • Metal Fabricator

  • Metal Machinist (First Class) (CNC Machinist)

  • Motor Mechanic (General)

  • Motor Mechanic (General) (Automotive Air Conditioning Technician)

  • Panel Beater

  • Plastics Technician

  • Plastics Engineer

  • Roof Tiler

  • Roof Plumber

  • Scaffolder

  • Sheetmetal Trades Worker

  • Solid Plasterer

  • Stonemason

  • Vehicle Painter

Featured Jobs

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Class 2/ Forklift Driver

City:

Napier / Hastings

Job Type:

Casual / Temporary / Contract

Date:

19/01/2026

Our Hastings-based client is looking for a reliable, safety-focused Forklift Driver to join their team. This role involves operating a large-scale forklift, so a Class 2 driver's license is essential. This is a physically demanding position, ideal for someone fit, committed, and ready to work for a short assignment roughly 2 weeks.
Benefits:
Weekly pay - with paid breaks
All PPE provided
Respected employer offering ongoing training and development
Continuous support from our team throughout

Apply Now

Pick Packers Needed

City:

Christchurch

Job Type:

Casual / Temporary / Contract

Date:

19/01/2026

Pick Packers wanted for immediate start in our Hornby location.
Shifts are from 6am, steel caps and hi-vis needed (can be provided).
Must have own reliable transport.
For more infomraiotn, please apply online or call Lauren on 0800 662511.
Apply Now
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Qualified Roofer

City:

Christchurch

Job Type:

Permanent / Full Time

Date:

19/01/2026

Job Title: Qualified Roofer
Employment Type:Temporary - Permanent
Job Location: Invercargill
Job Type: Trades Manufacturing - Other Trades Manufacturing
Our client is seeking a highly experienced roofer to join their closely knit, family-orientated team. This fantastic opportunity is a full-time role due to their increased workload.
Responsibilities
Install, Repair, and Maintain roofing systems
Identify and fix leaks, damaged areas and other roofing issues
Duties:
Commercial residential

Apply Now

Forklift Operator

City:

Hamilton

Job Type:

Permanent / Full Time

Date:

19/01/2026

Are you an experienced forklift operator who enjoys a mix of hands-on work and customer interaction? Join our team as a Forklift Operator and play a key role in ensuring our customers have a seamless and positive experience from start to finish.
What You'll Do:
Product Picking: Safely and efficiently retrieve products, such as fridges, from the warehouse based on orders from showroom sales consultants.
Customer Interaction: Bring products to the showroom's collections area and assist customer

Apply Now
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