Demand for roles in construction has reached “desperate” levels, according to a new survey from the Auckland Business Chamber.

The survey revealed an immediate need for 4400 roles in Auckland, plus a further 1300 for construction and about 1000 for the aged care sector.

Crane operators and truck drivers are in high demand, as are those in administration, marketing, and construction.

Eighty-seven percent of the respondents indicated a shortage of skills now and in the immediate future.

Chamber chief executive Michael Barnett said the situation is now critical for business growth and continuity and the situation was delivering some perverse outcomes.

“What we are seeing is firms poaching from each other which is creating wage inflation that is not sustainable,” he said.

“This is prevalent in the technology sector, transport, and hospitality. Like it or not New Zealand has already lost thousands to the Australian market and we need to have a plan in place that allows businesses to recruit offshore safely with some urgency.”

According to the survey, Australian recruiters are offering roles in the tech and construction sectors with offers of $30,000 more in wages plus relocation and expenses.