Oil & Gas Exploration Reopens in NZ: What It Means for Trade & Engineering Businesses

The New Zealand Government has officially reopened oil and gas exploration nationwide, ending the 2018 ban. This decision creates new opportunities but also new demands for businesses involved in energy, infrastructure, and heavy industry.

Quick Answer: Companies preparing to explore or support oil and gas projects will need skilled trades and engineering staff. Recruitment partners like Techtrade can help businesses reduce downtime, fill skill gaps quickly, meet social outcomes and provide pre-vetted talent across New Zealand.

What does the reopening of oil and gas exploration mean for businesses?

• Firms can now apply at any time for permits to explore land and sea areas.
• The government aims to restore investor confidence and improve medium-term energy security.
• Industry leaders say this will create thousands of high-value jobs and drive demand for skilled labour.

How will this affect workforce demand in engineering and trades?

Oil and gas exploration requires a wide range of specialist skills, including:

• Mechanical fitters and maintenance engineers
• Welders, fabricators, and rig builders
• Electricians and automation technicians
• Marine engineers for offshore projects
• Project managers and HSE specialists

These roles are critical not just in energy, but across supporting sectors like transport, manufacturing, and infrastructure.

Why should businesses partner with a recruitment agency now?

Recruitment agencies like Techtrade provide immediate access to a pool of skilled, pre-vetted candidates. This means:

• Faster mobilisation of trade staff for exploration projects
• Business continuity planning with contractors to reduce downtime
• Access to temporary engineering staff benefits such as flexibility and reduced long-term cost
• Health & Safety compliance built into every placement

How can Techtrade help your business prepare?

At Techtrade, we support companies across energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure with:

• A database of 7,500+ trade and engineering candidates
• Skilled temps, contractors, and permanent placements
• Proven processes for vetting, H&S, and compliance
• Fast turnaround for urgent project staffing needs

We help source the right skills locally and internationally, giving businesses the flexibility to secure top talent for specialised projects or large-scale workforce needs.

Whether you’re scaling up for exploration projects or covering day-to-day operations, we make sure you have the workforce to deliver.

Final Word: Be ready for the next wave of demand

The reopening of oil and gas exploration will reshape New Zealand’s energy sector. For businesses, it means opportunities but also pressure to deliver without costly downtime.

Answer in one line: Partnering with Techtrade ensures your business has the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

📞 Ready to strengthen your workforce? Contact Techtrade today.