New dwelling consents hit record highs

Canterbury consents the largest number of new dwelling since records began in 1976.

A total of 599 new dwellings were consented in Canterbury in September, which is the highest number in 37 years and the largest number since records began in April 1976.

“Christchurch was the main driver of this month’s increase, with a record number of 309 new houses and apartments consented,” said SNZ industry and labour statistics manager Blair Cardno.

Across the country, September saw 1,860 new home consents, including 156 apartments, of which 97 were retirement village units. Compared with August 2013, the seasonally adjusted number of new homes, including apartments, rose 1.4%, while those excluding apartments rose 2.6%.

“Thirteen of the 16 regions consented more new dwellings, including apartments, in September 2013 compared with September 2012

The monthly trend for new dwellings, excluding apartments, is easing. While still at its highest level since March 2008, and 66% higher than the most recent low point in March 2011, the trend is still 29% below its peak in September 2003.

The monthly trend for new dwellings, including apartments, is also easing. It is 70% higher than its low point in March 2011, but still 38% below its peak in January 2004.

Thirteen of the 16 regions  – Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu, Tasman, Marlborough, West Coast, Canterbury and Otago – consented more new dwellings, including apartments, in September 2013 compared with September 2012. In particular, Canterbury saw an increase of 203 consents issued (up to 599), Otago went up by 47 to 109, Waikato rose by 33 up to 198 and Auckland went up 31 to 489.

Consented non-residential work in September 2013 was valued at $342m and the largest contributors, by value, were offices and administration buildings ($78m), shops, restaurant and taverns ($55m), Factories and industrial buildings ($53m) and education buildings ($50m).

Quake-related building consents were valued at close to $60m in September – $29m for residential and $30m for non-residential – and included 42 new dwellings. The value of earthquake-related building consents since4 September 2010 is $1.28bn.

The total value of all building consents in September 2013 was just over$1bn. The value of consents for the year ended September 2013 was up 20% for all buildings (to $11.6bn) compared to last year. Residential consents increased 26% (to $7.4bn) and non-residential increased 11% (to $4.2bn).

The total value of all building work consented in New Zealand in the September 2013 quarter was $3.2 billion. Of this, $2.1 bn was residential building work – the highest ever value.