Most consents since 1974

Stats NZ has confirmed that almost 38,000 new homes were consented in the year to October 2020. This is the highest number of consents since 1974

In total, 3659 new dwellings were consented in October – an increase of 8.8% from September when accounting for seasonality.

The rise in new homes consented was driven by strong growth in plans to build townhouses, flats, and units in the past year.

The October figures comprised of 1956 standalone houses; 1178 townhouses, flats, and units; 364 apartments; and 161 retirement village units.

“Typically, high levels of new homes consented are followed by high levels of building activity in following quarters,” construction statistics manager Michael Heslop said.

In the year ended October 2020, the total number of dwellings consented was 37,981— up 2.8% from the year ended October 2019. This consisted of 21,947 houses, 3,557 apartments, 1844 retirement village units, and 10,633 townhouses, flats, and units.

In the regions

Eight of the 16 regions consented more dwellings in October 2020 compared to October 2019, led by Auckland (up 203 to 1564; +14.9%), Canterbury (up  105 to 576; + 22.3%) and Taranaki (up 16  to 66; +32%).  Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Wellington and Tasman also showed an increase in consented dwellings.

The eight remaining regions saw a decrease in dwellings consented over the same period, led by Southland (down 20 to 17; – 54%), Otago (down 17 to 182; -8.5%) and Nelson (down 16 to 16; -50%). Northland, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu-Whanganui, Nelson, Marlborough and the West Coast also recorded decreases.

Non-residential building consents

In the year ended October 2020, non-residential building consents totalled $6.9 bn, down 9.1% from the October 2019 year. The building types with the highest value were:

• Education buildings – $1.1bn (down 8.3%)
• Storage buildings – $1bn (up 13 percent)
• Offices, administration, and public transport buildings – $935m (down 10%)