Consents continue decline in April

The month of April saw the biggest decrease in consents in 2019, after falling for a second consecutive month

A total of 2,605 new dwellings were consented in April — a seasonally adjusted 7.9% decrease, following a 7.4% decrease in March 2019.

The April figure comprised of 1,659 stand-alone houses, 553 townhouses, flats, and units, 201 retirement village units, and 192 apartments.

In the year ended April 2019, the total number of new dwellings was 34,392 — up 7.4% from the April 2018 year.

In the regions

Seven of the 16 regions consented more dwellings in April 2019 compared to April 2018, led by Canterbury (up 43 to 411; +12%), Wellington (up 21 to 227; + 10%), and Southland (up 18 to 30; +150%). Gisborne, Taranaki, West Coast, and Nelson were other regions to consent more dwellings month-on-month.  

Eight regions saw a decrease in consented dwellings in April 2019 compared to March 2018, led by Auckland (down 120 to 1043; -10% ), Otago (down 27 to 137; -16%), and Waikato (down 22 to 232; -8%). Northland, Bay of Plenty, Manawatu, Tasman, and Marlborough also experienced decreases

Non-residential building consents

In the year ended April 2019, non-residential building consents totalled $7.5bn, up 11% from the April 2018 year. The building types with the highest value were:

• Shops, restaurants, and bars — $1.2bn (up 28%)
• Education buildings — $1.1bn (up 3.6%)
• Social, cultural, and religious buildings — $1.1bn (up 44%)