CONSENTS AT THEIR HIGHEST SINCE 1975

A total of 33,576 new homes were consented in the year ended January 2019, the highest number of new homes consented in a year since early 1975

At the peak of the 1970s, approximately 13 new homes were consented per 1,000 New Zealanders compared with seven per 1,000 in the year ended January 2019, Stats NZ reported.

The growth in the year ended January 2019 was fuelled by townhouses, flats, and units, which were up 33% from the year ended January 2018.

NO QUIET JANUARY

The number of new homes consented rose a seasonally adjusted 17% in January 2019, driven largely by big multi-unit projects such as apartments, particularly in Auckland. Because January is typically a quiet month, the increased activity in consents contributed to the sharp rise.

The 2,496 new dwellings consented in January 2019 included 1,525 stand-alone houses, 341 apartments, 212 retirement villages, and 418 townhouses, flats, and units.

IN THE REGIONS

Ten of the 16 regions consented more dwellings in January 2019 compared to January 2018, led by Auckland (increase of 410 to 1,128; +57%), Bay of Plenty (increase of 107 to 230; +87%), and Waikato (increase of 39 to 232; +20%). Northland, Gisborne, Manawatu-Wanganui, Wellington, West Coast, Canterbury, and Tasman were the other regions to consent more dwellings month-on-month.

Six of the 16 saw a decrease in consented dwellings in January 2019 compared to January 2018, led by Otago (decrease of 22 to 122; -15%), Hawke’s Bay (decrease of 14 to 28; -33%), and Nelson (decrease of 8 to 6; -57%). Taranaki, Southland, and Marlborough also recorded decreases compared to January 2019.

NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CONSENTS

In the year ended January 2019, non-residential building consents totalled $7.1bn, up 7% from the January 2019 year. The building types with the highest value were:

• Shops, restaurants, and bars — $1.2bn (up 43%).
• Educations buildings — $997m (down 7.3%).
• Offices, administration, and public transport buildings — $912m (up 20%).