A 45-year high in new homes consented

Townhouses were the driving force behind new homes consents, which reached their highest level since 1974

A total of 3,687 new dwellings were consented in May — a seasonally adjusted 13% increase, following a 7.9% and 7.4% decrease in April and March respectively.

The May figure comprised of 1,989 stand-alone houses, 919 townhouses, flats, and units, 255 retirement villages, and 529 apartments.

In the year ended May 2019, the total number of new dwellings was 34,672 — up 6.3% from the May 2018 year.

In the regions

Eight of the 16 regions consented more dwellings in May 2019 compared to May 2018, led by Auckland (up 127 to 1,657; +8%), Waikato (up 112 to 450; +33%), and Hawke’s Bay (up 31 to 82; +60%). Northland, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson and Marlborough were other regions to consent more dwellings month-on-month. Southland and Otago recorded no increase or decrease.

Six regions saw a decrease in consented dwellings in May 2019 compared to May 2018, led by Bay of Plenty (down 27 to 167; -14%), and West Coast (down 7 to 10; -41%). Gisborne, Manawatu-Wanganui, Canterbury, and Tasman also experienced decreases.

Non-residential building consents

In the year ended May 2019, non-residential building consents totalled $7.5bn, up 9.5% from the May 2018 year. The building types with the highest value were:

• Shops, restaurants, and bars – $1.1bn (up 18%).
• Storage buildings – $1.1bn (up 30%).
• Education buildings – $1.0bn (down 12%).