Consents hit two-year high in September 2025

The number of new homes consented in the month of September 2025 rose 27.3% compared with September 2024, marking the highest monthly total in more than two years 

In total, 34,882 new homes were consented in the year ended September 2025 – an increase of 3.6% compared with the year ended September 2024. This included 18,904 multi-unit homes (up 5.6%) and 15,978 stand-alone homes (up 1.3%). 

“September recorded the highest number of homes consented in more than two years,” economic indicators spokesperson Michelle Feyen said.  

“Residential construction has declined in recent years, but home consents have been trending up through 2025 and have strengthened in recent months, suggesting a possible lift in future building activity.” 

Of the multi-unit homes consented, there were 15,046 townhouses, flats and units (+5.3% compared with the year ended September 2024), 2,638 apartments (+48.5%) and 1,220 retirement village units (-33.3%).    

In the month of September 2025, there were 3,747 new dwellings consented – an increase of 27.3% compared to September 2024. This number comprised 1,601 stand-alone houses (+16.2%), 1,634 townhouses, flats and units (+49.8%), 76 retirement village units (-61.4%) and 436 apartments (+57.4%).    

Regions on the up 

Seven regions consented more dwellings in the year ended September 2025 compared to the previous year. Otago recorded the biggest increase with 2,676 (+22.6%), followed by Southland with 374 (+11.6%), Wellington with 2,083 (+10.6%), Auckland with 14,760 (+6.8%), Nelson with 248 (+2.1%), Canterbury with 6,799 (+1.4%) and Taranaki, which consented 438 (+0.7%).   

The four regions with the most consents issued were:     

• 14,760 in Auckland (+6.8%).     

• 6,799 in Canterbury (+1.4%).     

• 2,881 in Waikato (-0.2%).      

• 2,676 in Otago (+22.6%).     

Increased consents per 1,000 residents  

The number of dwellings consented per 1,000 residents increased to 6.6 for the year ended September 2025, compared to 6.4 in the year ended September 2024.   

Three regions consented above national levels: Otago (10.6), Canterbury (9.9) and Auckland (8.2).      

Non-residential building consents down     

In the year ended September 2025, non-residential building consents totaled $9bn, down 1.9% from the year ended September 2024. This series can be influenced by price changes – non-residential construction prices (as measured by the capital goods price index) were up 1.6% in the year ended June 2025. The building types with the highest value were:     

• Offices, administration, and public transport buildings – $1.8bn (+7.3%).  

• Storage buildings – $1.3bn (+1.7%).  

• Factories – $1.3bn (+11%).