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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Carpenter/ Labourer
City:
Napier / Hastings
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
We are seeking physically fit, reliable, and switched-on Carpenters and Labourers for a large-scale construction project based in Hastings. This project is expected to run for up to 12 months, so we are looking for committed and skilled workers with a valid Site Safe card and a clean criminal record.
Role Details
Project Duration: From 1st December 2025 until project completion
Hours: To be confirmed - approximately 8-10-hour shifts, Monday to Friday
Pay Rate: Based on experience
Requiremen
Pick Packing
City:
Auckland
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
We are looking for multiple pick packers to join a tight-nit team in a vibrant and busy warehouse in Silverdale - Auckland.
Experience is an advantage but not necessary. This is a great opportunity for an individual that may have entry level or similar experience in pick/packing / warehousing and is looking to up-skill on the job.
This will be a 3 month temporary contract that will start from the end of September and go through un till Christmas.
Benefits
Weekly Pay
PPE Provided
40+ hours
Hammerhand / Carpenters
City:
Bay of Plenty
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
Hammerhands / Carpenters Wanted – Bay of Plenty
Join the OneStaff Tauranga Team
We’re looking for experienced Hammerhands and Carpenters for ongoing projects across the Bay of Plenty region.
Our clients are working on a range of commercial and residential builds, offering consistent work and great opportunities for skilled tradespeople.
What we’re looking for:
Proven experience on site – foundations, framing, roofing, fencing, and general carpentry work
Reliable, hardworking, and safety-co
Frame and Truss Workers Wanted
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
About the Role:
We are on the lookout for experienced and dedicated Frame and Truss Workers to join our dynamic team in Christchurch. This role offers a permanent position, where you will work with top-notch materials and advanced building techniques.
Key Responsibilities:
Constructing and assembling frames and trusses according to specifications.
Reading and interpreting building plans and blueprints.
Ensuring all work meets quality standards and complies with safety regulations.
Collabor