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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Scrap metal yardmen
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Our clients are well known within the scrap metal recycling industry, and with a growing pipeline of work they are looking for somebody to join their team as an all-rounder based in the yard. This is the perfect role for somebody entry level with the interest to stay and learn long term, gaining licenses and full training along the way.
About the role:
Yardmen duties
Manage incoming and outgoing metal deliveries
Customer interactions
Utilizing machinery to load and unload container and shre
General Labourer
City:
Hawkes Bay / Gisborne
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
10 days ago
Are you looking for hands-on work and variety in your day-to-day? We’re on the lookout for physically fit, reliable general labourers to join our team in the Hastings, Havelock North and Napier areas.
Responsibilities:
Assisting tradespeople and contractors with various tasks on construction sites, factories, or other work environments.
Carrying out general site clean-up, including debris removal and waste disposal.
Following instructions from supervisors and working collaboratively with the team.
Always adhering to health and safety regulations.
Minimum Requirements:
Restricted driver'…..
Student Work
City:
Waikato
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…..
Carpenters - Christchurch
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
We are looking for experienced Carpenters to join Extrastaff
Our growing business requires organised and trustworthy individuals who pride themselves on quality workmanship. You must be motivated and results driven
Skills and experience required:
2+ years relevant experience in carpentry OR relevant qualification is preferred
Good time management and an excellent work ethic
A commitment to learning and developing your skills within the industry
Sound knowledge of Health and Safety
Reliabl