Other areas of high demand were administration and office support, education and training, and information and communication technology.
The outlook was similar on trademe.co.nz. The top categories by volume of listings in the second quarter of 2017 were led by trades and services, followed by hospitality and tourism, transport and logistics, automotive, and healthcare.
Phill Van Syp, managing director for 1st Call Recruitment, an agency primarily seeking candidates in engineering, refrigeration, sheet metal work, and driving, said his clients were strict about hiring workers who were not only experienced and skilled but would also comply with the company's core values and requirements.
Mr Van Syp added that his clients were strict about having drug-free workplaces, which was often an issue.
The expectation was for the applicant to be ready to start work, Mr Van Syp said.
"A skilled person can be placed with a client within a couple of hours."
Personnel Resources consultant Ashlyn Sweeney said many candidates from other cities were applying in Rotorua which could be putting pressure on local job hunters.
She said those looking to relocate from larger cities were attracted to Rotorua's lifestyle and sought a better work-life balance.
Mr Van Syp agreed, saying it was not unusual to find a suitable candidate from another part of the country.
Summit Hydraulics Rotorua managing director Chris Joseph is looking for a hydraulic service technician and a fitter machinist.
He said the vacancies were in high demand among candidates, receiving 12 applications within just a few days of listing the jobs.
"It is an industry where it's hard to find suitably skilled and trained staff," Mr Joseph said.
"Once hired, our guys tend to stay on for an average of five years. Several of them have been with us for 10 years."
Rotorua's Alicia Styles has been working in a temporary administrative role for the past two months.
Ms Styles joined Personnel Resources because she needed financial support while she built a strategic management and consulting business on the side.
With some adaptability, she landed a full-time temporary role via the agency soon after applying.
"If you're willing to work, there are jobs out there.
"There is always a good opportunity to network and learn new things if you make yourself flexible and available."
For Ms Styles, who moved to Rotorua from Wellington five years ago, staying on top of the competition is a given.
"I believe that finding work [in Rotorua] is fairly easy, as long as you're willing to work and willing to change expectations. Pay rates are different here from those in larger cities, and the expectations have to come down," she said, adding that a flexible attitude was important.
Ms Styles previously volunteered for Rotorua Central Scouts which she said gave her an opportunity to upgrade her computer skills and learn new programs she could use in her current and future work.
"The CV is a good opportunity to be clear about who you are, what you do, and what you want to do.
"It's important to be open about expectations but also remain flexible."
