The construction industry in earthquake-hit Christchurch may have seek labour from Asia and Ireland due to the drain of tradespeople to Australia.
The Registered Master Builders Federation says the building industry is stagnant with little major work done since September and it will have to look further abroad for workers.
The June Quarterly Employment Survey shows a 4.5% drop in employment throughout Canterbury.
The federation's chief executive, Warwick Quinn, says much of the drop is likely to be from the building industry.
Mr Quinn says many in the building industry have left for Australia for higher wages and it will have to fill the gap by looking to Asia and even Ireland for labour.
