The amount of landscaping work available is strongly linked to the state of the building industry. Increased residential and commercial building activity, especially in Auckland, has contributed to steady demand for landscapers.
Most job opportunities for those starting out in the industry are in larger cities like Auckland and Christchurch. A trend towards the construction of high-end buildings in these cities is also creating opportunities for landscapers to work on bigger landscaping projects.
According to the Census, 4,881 landscapers worked in New Zealand in 2018.
Increase your chances of finding work
Graduates and those new to the industry can increase their chances of finding work by:
- making the most of networking opportunities, such as attending branch meetings of the Landscaping New Zealand (LIANZ).
- contacting potential employers by phone, or making a time to meet face-to-face
- approaching landscape companies in spring/summer when there is more chance of being hired.
Landscapers usually need to work on site in hands-on roles for a few years and develop a good understanding of the practicalities of the work before progressing to design jobs.There is greater competition for landscape design roles, and you need to get established in the industry before you can secure contract design work.
Most landscapers work for small businesses
Landscapers usually work for small private firms. Many are also self-employed.
