If you've been searching for a concreting professional and noticed the two different spellings, don't worry — concreter and concretor refer to exactly the same trade. The difference is purely one of spelling, not skill, qualification, or scope of work. In New Zealand, concreter is the widely accepted and standard spelling you'll see used by tradespeople, suppliers, and industry bodies.
Why Are There Two Spellings?
English spelling can be inconsistent, and trade job titles are no exception. The -er suffix (concreter) follows the most common pattern for forming agent nouns in New Zealand and Australian English — think painter, plasterer, tiler. The -or suffix (concretor) follows a Latin-influenced pattern seen in words like contractor, inspector, and operator.
Both spellings are understood throughout the industry, but if you're writing a job ad, filling in a consent form, or searching for a tradesperson in New Zealand, concreter is the spelling you'll most commonly encounter.
What Does a Concreter Actually Do?
A concreter is a skilled tradesperson who works with concrete — one of the most widely used construction materials in New Zealand. Their work spans residential, commercial, and civil projects. Common tasks include:
- Formwork: Building the timber or steel moulds that shape poured concrete for slabs, paths, driveways, and foundations.
- Reinforcing: Placing steel reinforcing bar (rebar) or mesh to strengthen the concrete structure, often to meet NZ Building Code requirements.
- Pouring and placing: Ordering, receiving, and directing the placement of ready-mix concrete from a truck or mixing on site.
- Finishing: Screeding, floating, trowelling, and texturing the surface to achieve the required finish — whether that's a smooth garage floor, a broom-finished path, or exposed aggregate.
- Curing: Applying curing compounds or coverings to ensure the concrete gains full strength as it dries.
- Cutting and sealing: Cutting control joints to manage cracking, and applying sealers to protect finished surfaces.
Concreters may also work on retaining walls, concrete steps, pool surrounds, and decorative concrete finishes such as stamped or coloured concrete.
Qualifications and Licensing in New Zealand
Concreting is not a licensed or restricted trade in New Zealand in the same way that electrical or plumbing work is. However, that doesn't mean just anyone should be doing it. Quality concrete work requires real skill and experience — a poorly poured slab can crack, settle unevenly, or fail to meet the NZ Building Code, leading to costly repairs.
For significant structural work — such as foundations, retaining walls over certain heights, or any work that requires a building consent — you may need to engage a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP). LBPs are licensed under the Building Act and the scheme is administered by MBIE and can carry out or supervise restricted building work (RBW). Always check with your local council whether your project requires consent before work begins.
When Is a Building Consent Required?
Many smaller concrete jobs — like a garden path or a small shed slab — may fall under Schedule 1 exemptions of the Building Act and not require a consent. However, this depends on the size, location, and nature of the work. Always confirm with your local council before assuming your project is exempt. MBIE Building Performance has useful guidance on what does and doesn't need consent.
New Zealand Standards and the Building Code
Concrete work in NZ must comply with the New Zealand Building Code, and relevant standards such as NZS 3109 (Concrete Construction) — confirm the current applicable standard with your engineer or council, as standards are periodically updated and NZS 3604 (Timber-framed Buildings) where applicable. BRANZ is an excellent resource for technical guidance on construction best practice in the NZ context, including concrete work.
For residential slabs and foundations, the concrete mix, reinforcing, and subbase preparation all need to be appropriate for your site conditions — including soil type, drainage, and local climate. New Zealand's varied climate (from the wet West Coast to the dry Central Otago) can affect how concrete is poured and cured.
Materials and Suppliers
Concreters typically source materials from well-known NZ trade suppliers. Products like concrete additives, sealers, and repair compounds are available from suppliers such as Sika, Ardex, and Mapei. Hardware and formwork materials can be found at Bunnings, Mitre 10, and PlaceMakers.
When to Call a Professional
While a confident DIYer might tackle a small garden path, most concrete work is best left to an experienced concreter. You should definitely hire a professional when:
- You're pouring a house slab, foundation, or structural element
- The job requires a building consent
- You need reinforced concrete to meet engineering or code requirements
- You want a high-quality decorative finish (exposed aggregate, stamped concrete, etc.)
- The pour is large or time-sensitive — concrete waits for no one once it starts going off
A qualified concreter will have the right equipment, know the correct mix designs, and ensure the work meets NZ Building Code standards. You can find experienced local concreters on tradedirectory.co.nz.
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