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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Flooring Experts urgently needed!
City:
South Island
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Flooring Experts urgently needed!
Location:
NZ - South Island - Timaru
About the Role:
We are in search of passionate Carpet and Vinyl layers. This is your chance to work on diverse projects, from residential homes to commercial buildings, ensuring each floor is laid with precision and care.
Key Responsibilities:
Installation of various types of flooring materials including hardwood, vinyl, carpet, and tiles.
Assessing and preparing floor surfaces before installation.
Communicating with
Roofers
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Experienced Roofers to join our team. Commercial roofers needed; Metal cladding and Longrun installation, Tray Roofing, Membrane Roofing.
This Roofer role is a fantastic opportunity to join a leading roofing company in Canterbury. As a Roofer you will assist the team with all the construction duties to ensure the end product is of the high standard this business is known for.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Installing commercial roofing, flashings and rainwater systems
Experience with Tray or M
Structural Steel Fabricators - Nationwide
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Nationwide - Roles available across all regions of New Zealand
Pay & Benefits:
$25.00 - $40 per hour
Minimum 30 hours guaranteed per week
Full-time, permanent roles
PPE and tools provided
Opportunity to work on major infrastructure and commercial projects
Job Description:
Extrastaff, a Labour Hire Company, is hiring full-time Structural Steel Fabricators for deployment on infrastructure and commercial construction projects throughout New Zealand. This role involves the placement, securin