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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Casual Event Staff needed
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
16/02/2026
Casual Event Staff needed
We are currently looking for reliable and enthusiastic casual event staff for a prominent events management company based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
As a casual event staff member, you will have the opportunity to work at a variety of exciting events, including concerts, festivals, corporate functions, and sporting events. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking for flexible hours and the chance to be a part of the dynamic events industry. Whether
Frame and Truss Workers Wanted Now
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
We have immediate starts available for self-motivated, reliable and practically-minded individuals. If you want to join New Zealand's largest supplier of building materials and hardware look no further.
Previous Frame and truss experience is desirable, however if not you will need to have been in a hammerhand role previously to be considered.
Day to Day:
Assembly of frames and trusses
Working with manual and/or automated saws
Dealing with both power and hand tools
You will have:
Have a mi
Landscaper Required
City:
Tasman / Marlborough
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Landscape Maintenance Worker to join the team in Nelson. As a leading company in the green industry, the focus is on in creating sustainable and beautiful landscapes for residential and commercial clients.
Responsibilities:
Maintain and care for various landscapes, including lawns, gardens, and outdoor spaces
Perform regular maintenance tasks such as pruning, spraying, weeding, and watering
Install and maintain irrigation systems
Mow and edg
Joiner
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
16/02/2026
We are looking for an experienced Joiner with strong attention to detail, and the ability to work at a good pace.
This will be a fulltime ongoing position for the right person.
Based in a factory environment on the South-West side of Christchurch, you will be responsible for constructing kitchens.
Hours will be
Monday to Friday
7.30am - 4.00pm
All tools and safety gear will be provided.
It is essential you have the following:
Minimum of 3 years experience working as a joiner
Reliable tr