British construction workers to be wooed by New Zealand

Thousands of British construction workers could be wooed to New Zealand in coming years, as the new leftist government there begins a campaign to attract global talent as it prepares to ramp up investment in housing and infrastructure.

Around 65,000 new construction workers will be required in the country in the next five years, which has led the government to collaborate with the local construction industry to begin the largest-ever push for UK workers.

The recent softening in construction activity in the UK, combined with the need for workers in New Zealand, has created the perfect environment for such a push.

Over the next 10 years, the new Labour-led government - only sworn into office a week ago - wants to spend NZD 2bn (£1bn) building 100.000 new homes.

Alongside that are substantial infrastructure works, estimated to cost around NZD 125bn, with a large push for better regional and urban transport projects.

Official forecasts suggest the peak of the upcoming construction boom will be in 2020, giving the country just three years to solve the imbalance between the 65,000 workers needed and the 11,000 Kiwis in apprenticeships now.