Wellington Hire Wire - Issue three
Hello from Ailsa and Beccy!
This month marks 20 years of us working together. Two decades of chaos, cracking on, and calling it like it is. We’ve seen the recruitment world twist itself inside out more than once, but somehow we’re still here and still having the best time!
In this issue of Hire Wire we give our take on the tariffs and what the global talent shifts might mean for you. Green skills development and productivity issues are also on our minds, and how to plan for sustainability, because hiring well isn’t about reacting to what’s happening now. It’s about spotting what’s coming next.
In this issue:
- Our take on Trump’s paused tariffs and what it means for NZ employers
- Why global talent is eyeing Aotearoa
- What green skills mean on site
- A chat with Ailsa and Beccy on twenty years working together
- Josh on night shifts, fish & chips, and showing what your crew’s made of
- And how we’re walking for MATES
Got something to add? A trend you’re seeing on site or in the office? We’d love to hear it. Fire it through to wellingtonhirewire@substack.com.
Ailsa & Beccy
News just in.. Melling upgrade officially a go
Minister of Transport and Hutt South MP Chris Bishop has confirmed that construction on the long-awaited Melling transport upgrade will begin later this year. The project includes a new grade-separated interchange, train station, and bridge designed to ease congestion, improve safety, and boost public transport. It’s part of the wider $1.5 billion RiverLink programme to improve flood resilience and connectivity across the Hutt Valley.
Why now might be the best time to plan when it comes to hiring.
The global economy is still throwing curveballs. Trump’s tariff talk has dominated headlines again, and while there was a collective sigh of relief with a 90-day pause announced, the uncertainty hasn’t disappeared. Economists say the risk is still there, and businesses should continue to plan with a bit of instability in mind.
The pause may ease short-term pressure on global markets, but if the tariffs come into effect later this year they could spike costs, disrupt supply chains, and hit export confidence hard.
Here in New Zealand, though, there’s a bit of good news. Construction costs are finally showing signs of stability. According to CoreLogic’s Cordell Construction Cost Index, the cost to build a standard home rose just 0.3% in the March 2025 quarter with annual growth sitting at only 0.9%. While that figure reflects residential construction specifically, it points to easing pressure on materials, labour, and logistics that are being felt across the wider building industry including commercial construction.
That means better planning, more predictable quoting, and greater confidence when it comes to hiring.
And despite the noise, New Zealand’s export economy is more diverse than many realise. It’s not just logs, meat and milk. We export everything from software to scientific instruments to high-end food tech. On top of that, at this stage New Zealand isn’t imposing any counter-tariffs on the US, and most of our necessary imports can come from lots of different places, which helps insulate our sector a bit from any fallout.
What this means for hiring managers:
- You can plan with more certainty than last year
- There’s a strong talent pool out there right now
- Projects that were on hold may finally move forward
We’re obviously not in boom times, but we’re not in crisis either. And if you’ve been holding off on building your team, this might be your chance to move confidently before another shift.
Global Talent Shifts: Why New Zealand’s looking rather good right now
As international borders tighten and political uncertainty ramps up elsewhere, New Zealand is starting to look like a bit of a unicorn. Stable, welcoming, remote, and increasingly appealing to people overseas. While some countries are making it harder for highly skilled migrants to get in or stay long term, New Zealand is quietly benefitting from the shift. It’s not just our lifestyle doing the talking anymore, it’s our reputation for work-life balance, safety, and mostly straightforward visa pathways.
The general rule for employing anyone, whether they already live here or not, is to move quickly. Slow recruitment processes lose the best candidates to other roles. And if the people you want don’t already live here, offering relocation support, housing advice, and cultural onboarding makes a huge difference.
Hiring for a greener future?
Sustainability is no longer a buzzword. It’s increasingly a line item in contracts, tenders, and consent processes. BRANZ is pushing for greater material reuse, and councils across the country are raising their expectations around low-waste builds.
That means new job roles, qualifications, and expectations for site teams.
One client we’re working with is actively hiring builders and project managers who understand how to deconstruct for material reuse, rather than simply demolish. It’s a more strategic and deliberate process that requires different on-site thinking, and it’s a skillset that’s likely to be in increasing demand as sustainability expectations grow across the industry.
If you’re not already thinking about how green skills will fit into your workforce, now’s the time.
The next hire you make might need to know about compliance, circular design, or smart materials logistics, not just how to get the job done fast.
Recruitment in Action - night work, cold shifts, and a great team
Project: Barrier arm replacement, State Highway 1 near the Aotea Quay off-ramp
Conditions: Winter. Night shifts. High traffic area.
Outcome: Job done safely, on time, and with the same team that started it.
Sometimes the most telling recruitment wins don’t come from big headlines, but from small, high-pressure projects done right.
One of our most challenging assignments came during the barrier arm replacement on SH1 near Aotea Quay. Winter nights, cold gear, high vis, tight schedules - you name it. During the interview Ailsa would tell them “The wind comes straight from Antarctica and the first thing it hits is your ass!”
“This one tested everything - weather, logistics, timing, and teamwork. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was important work that really mattered,” says Josh Galuszka, Senior Recruitment Consultant at Key Skills.
“Getting the right people on-site straight away was crucial. There wasn’t room to cycle through workers mid-project. This job demanded consistency, reliability, and a crew that had each other’s backs, even at 2am in freezing temps - legends were born on this job!”
The biggest lesson? Communication and the right gear count. So does showing up. We made sure there was always someone available when things shifted. And yes, there were fish and chips shouts at 6pm on Sunday just so we could get the full team together before the shift started.
That stuff matters.
We’re proud of the work and the team that made it happen. Because when things get tough, it’s your people that carry you through.
20 Years of Ailsa & Beccy – The big spill!
Still laughing. Still recruiting. Still finishing each other’s sentences.
This month we caught up with Ailsa and Beccy to dig into two decades of recruitment lessons, laughs, and lasting relationships. Here are a few gems from our chat.
What do you wish more hiring managers understood about recruitment?
Ailsa: It might take us a day or two to find you a great candidate, but that’s backed by years of experience. It’s taken a long time to build the instincts and networks that help us spot the right person quickly.
Beccy: We get to see the full picture, not just the polished version of someone in a formal interview. We talk to them about what motivates them, what they’re looking for, and where they want to go. That helps us make better matches.
What’s the best recruitment advice you’ve ever been given?
Ailsa: “You’ll never make it.” That’s what someone in the industry told me to my face when we started. Talk about motivation.
Beccy: Skills can be taught. Attitude, motivation, and culture fit? Not so much. Don’t get too hung up on ticking every box - hire for potential.
What’s kept you working together for 20 years (and still liking each other)?
Ailsa: We share the same work ethic, and we’re both “people people” who also love admin - turns out that’s a pretty solid combo for running a business.
Beccy: We’re different, but our values are the same. That shared passion, and a strong dose of humour has kept us going. As long as Ailsa keeps laughing at my jokes, we’re sweet.
Most surprising place you’ve ever found a great candidate?
Ailsa: Someone once left a note on my car looking for work.
Beccy: Two of our best consultants started as temps working for our clients. Recruitment isn’t something most people consider, so growing talent from within has been gold.
Happy 20 years to Ailsa and Beccy! A dynamic duo powered by people, purpose, and a lot of good banter!
We’re Walking for MATES – The Longest Lap
This month, the Key Skills crew is getting behind the MATES in Construction Longest Lap - a nationwide effort to raise awareness for suicide prevention in the building and construction industry.
Every day in April, teams across the country are walking laps to honour the more than 250 tradies, labourers and construction workers lost to suicide each year. It’s a powerful reminder of why mental health support in our industry isn’t optional - it’s essential.
For us, it’s also personal. In 2012, we lost someone incredibly special - Damon.
He joined Key Skills at just 16, full of heart and determination. When a personal situation overwhelmed him, he felt he had no way out. Damon’s passing changed us forever. That’s why every lap we walk is for him and why we believe so strongly in what MATES in Construction is doing.
Their training gives people the tools to recognise when someone’s struggling and connect them to real help. Everyone at Key Skills has completed the connector training, and we strongly recommend others in the industry do the same. It can change a life. Maybe even save one.
If you’d like to support the cause, you can donate to our team here.
Or just give us a wave if you see us clocking up laps around the block. Every step counts. Because turning up for each other matters. On site, off site, every day.
Need hiring support? Key Skills is here to help - let’s talk.