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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Full Time Labourer Positions Available
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We specialise in a wide range of construction projects, including residential, commercial, and industrial.
We are currently seeking dedicated and hardworking individuals to join our team as full-time labourers. As a labourer, you will be responsible for assisting with various tasks on construction sites, including but not limited to site preparation, material handling, and general site clean-up. This role offers the opportunity to work on exciting projects and gain valuable experience in the co
Welders wanted
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We invite talented and experienced Welders to be part of our team on a permanent basis in Christchurch.
If you are passionate about craftsmanship and eager to shape your career path with an industry leader, this role may be your dream destination.
Enjoy the flexibility and freedom in your work,
Be part of complex and competitive projects,
Get unparalleled learning and growth opportunities.
Key job roles include:
Interpret blueprints, drawings, and measurements to plan layouts,
Weld compon
Corrugated Operator Wanted
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We need a diligent Corrugated Operator for our NZ-Auckland facility. You'll be responsible for ensuring the smooth and successful operation of our corrugated machinery, following safety protocols, and leading quality control in the manufacturing process.
As a Corrugated Operator at Extrastaff, you will:
Monitor corrugated machinery operation and make necessary adjustments.
Perform regular maintenance and minor repairs on machinery.
Perform quality checks on products and maintain quality stan
Machine Operator
City:
Wellington
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
14/11/2025
We have roles for three Machine operators based in Wellington.
You must:
Be reliable
Be willing to work on machines and ok to stand all day
Be happy to work 6am-2:30pm shifts Monday-Friday
If this sounds like you, please apply online.
Apply Now
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