The civil infrastructure industry looks set to start gathering steam in 2025, with a series of major national and regional projects expected to create exciting opportunities for career seekers.
The government’s May Budget earmarked an additional $2.68 billion investment in roads, rail and public transport, bringing the total planned central government investment in the transport sector to more than $22 billion over the next three years.
Couple that with the billions New Zealand councils plan to spend on regional transport networks and the massive investment required to maintain and upgrade New Zealand’s water infrastructure, and it’s clear there will be a mountain of work for people considering careers in the infrastructure industry.
From engineering and environmental management to hands-on trade roles, there’s something for everyone. So, it’s time to start preparing your skills so you can start a successful career in infrastructure construction. Here are some career pathways to think about.
Road maintenance: Paving the way for a smoother future
Roles in the road maintenance sector will be one of the hottest prospects for keen infrastructure industry career seekers, driven by government funding aimed at improving road conditions nationwide.
The government has allocated $939 million to repair roads damaged in 2023 by severe weather events in the North Island to help communities stay connected and support local economies. An additional $1.6 billion has been put aside to address the persistent problem of potholes plaguing the country’s roads, bringing the total budget for pothole prevention to $3.97 over the next three years.
Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Pollard says the increase in road maintenance funding will breathe new life into the industry and provide a wide range of career opportunities for workers.
“The start of the year has been slow, with many projects on hold while the new government considers its funding priorities. Now that some critical decisions are being made, the rubber looks set to start meeting the road and work building New Zealand will pick up.”
Once the projects funded by government move into the delivery phase, all manner of roles will be required, from traffic managers and field workers to heavy machinery operators and planners, he says.
“Maintaining road infrastructure is critical for making New Zealand’s roads safer and keeping the country moving. The funding announced by the government will enable New Zealand to make some progress towards addressing the backlog of maintenance issues, ensuring our roads are safer and more reliable for all users – achieving that will require us to grow our workforce of road maintenance workers.”
Road construction: Roads of national and regional significance
Road construction is another area of the infrastructure industry offering good prospects for career seekers.
The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) and Roads of Regional Significance (RoRS) programmes are part of the government’s plan to reshape New Zealand’s transport landscape.
According to Transport Minister Simeon Brown, the roads will improve connections, reduce travel times, and support economic growth by enhancing and expanding the country’s key transport routes.
The 15 RoNS are major traffic projects around New Zealand, such as a four-lane alternative highway to Northland avoiding the Brynderwyn Hills, and an expansion of the Hawke’s Bay expressway.
The 10 RoRS projects are intended to enhance regional connectivity by improving access to remote areas and providing transport links between rural communities. For example, the O Mahurangi – Penlink project will connect Whangaparāoa Road and State Highway 1 with a seven-kilometre highway on completion, and the Queenstown upgrade package will allow the transport network to serve the town’s growing population.
Alan says both roading programmes will create a large number of job opportunities and should be on the radar of anybody considering entering the infrastructure industry.
Opportunities will be particularly hot for planners, engineers, project managers and surveyors, as well as front line positions such as heavy machine operators and field workers.
“The roads of national and regional significance projects will boost transport connectivity and generate a wide range of career opportunities in the civil infrastructure sector for years to come, making road workers more important than ever to the nation’s economy,” he says.
Water infrastructure: Ensuring sustainable and reliable water systems
Another area poised for growth is the water infrastructure that allows Kiwis to enjoy clean drinking water, maintains public health standards and protects the environment.
The government plans to enhance water services under its Local Water Done Well programme and make them financially sustainable to operate and affordable for those who pay for water services.
As local councils become responsible for the water services they provide under the programme, the funding they receive will be ring-fenced and some revenue generated from water services will be diverted to improve local water infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.
Alan says working in water infrastructure offers a rewarding career path where people can contribute to services that impact the daily life of New Zealander’s and the country’s environmental health.
And whether career seekers want to work in engineering and environmental science, or in project management and technical roles, there’s a broad spectrum of opportunities for those interested in innovation and sustainability.
“Water infrastructure is crucial for the wellbeing of our communities. These projects will provide not only essential services but also fantastic career opportunities, which are vital for public health and environmental sustainability,” Alan says.
The future is bright: Get ready to ride the civil infrastructure wave
Alan says the infrastructure industry in New Zealand is on the cusp of a significant increase in opportunities in coming years, driven by substantial investments and important projects.
Stable and rewarding career paths are on the horizon for people who want to put in the work with diverse opportunities ranging from hands-on road and water infrastructure construction and maintenance roles to strategic planning and project management positions.
“Embracing a career in civil infrastructure is more than just securing a job, it’s becoming part of a mission to build and maintain the backbone of New Zealand, one exciting project at a time.”
How do people get started in the industry?
Many entry-level civil construction roles can be learnt on the job and there are clear pathways to progression for industry workers once they have a foot in the door.
It’s not all government and council work. There are also lots of great jobs preparing sites and for private developers, from significant building projects to vineyards and marinas!
If you are interested in a career in infrastructure, exploring the new Infrastructure Career Roadmap is a good place to start. This interactive tool showcases what different roles involve, any qualifications required and career progression opportunities.
Civil Contractors New Zealand Workforce Development Manager Rebecca Fox says having a driver licence (at least a learner licence), being curious and wanting to learn all help to maximise someone’s chances of getting into the sector.
“Most of the roles in the sector can be started straight from school, so you can learn on the job and earn on the job.”
Rebecca says some roles do require tertiary study at a university, but the skills for most roles can be picked up beforehand.
“By far the best thing that students can focus on at school are communication and maths skills. Science skills are also helpful for some roles, but being curious, willing to listen and try something new are key qualities that employers are looking for.”
