There is set to be a sharp rise in demand for building specialists in New Zealand in the next few years and the country may struggle to cope, it has been said.

According to TVNZ.co.nz, the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) believes that there will be a lack of people with the necessary skills to fill the roles being created by the increased demand.

Ruma Karaitiana, chief executive of the group, said that the boom and bust nature of the rebuilding industry will be more extreme than usual this time.

"This won't be a gradual increase in activity as seen in previous cycles. Rebuilding in Canterbury, leaky-homes remedial work and pent-up housing shortages are set to suck-up every last building professional in the country," he explained.

Some of the rebuilding will be needed following the 6.3-magnitude earthquake which hit the New Zealand city of Christchurch in February, which destroyed many buildings there.

Posted by Sarah Dixon