Women make up just 15 percent of full-time construction workers in New Zealand, and new research says subtle biases and discrimination are still keeping numbers low.

Auckland University of Technology’s Dr Funmilayo Ebun Rotimi led a team exploring the barriers women face in the sector.

Their study found that while more women are joining the industry, workplace culture and assumptions about ability continue to make progress slow.

Dr Rotimi says women in construction experience both “benevolent sexism”, such as being stereotyped or pressured to prove themselves, and “hostile sexism”, including harassment and lack of respect.

“Stereotyping can lead to assumptions about women’s ability or suitability for roles, increasing pressure to prove oneself,” she says.

The study also found a lack of female role models, pay gaps, and women being passed over for promotions.

It linked these conditions to stress and limited career growth.

“By identifying the challenges faced by women in the industry, we hope to encourage the development of workplace initiatives to address them, thereby encouraging more women into careers in construction,” Dr Rotimi says.

The research, published in Construction Economics and Building, was co-authored by Dr Marcela Brauner, Dr Megan Burfoot, Associate Professor Nicola Naismith, Dr Chathurani Silva, and Associate Professor Mahsa Mohaghegh.

On the Hibiscus Coast, local building firms and trade operators could help lead change by supporting inclusive hiring and mentorship for women entering the workforce.

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