CONSENTS TAKE FIRST DIP FOR 2019

A total of 3,180 new dwellings were consented in March — a seasonally adjusted 6.9% decrease, following 1.7% and 13.6% increases in the previous two months

The March figure comprised of 1,949 stand-alone houses, 455 apartments, 174 retirement village units, and 602 townhouses, flats, and units.

In the year ended March 2019, the total number of new dwellings consented was 34,516 — up 10% from the year ended March 2018.

In the regions

Eight of the 17 regions consented more dwellings in March 2019 compared to March 2018, led by Otago (up 215 to 339; +173%), Nelson (up 97 to 109; +808%), Waikato (up 53 to 380; +16%), and Canterbury (up 51 to 486; +11%). Auckland, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and Marlborough were other regions to consent more dwellings month-on-month.

Eight regions saw a decrease in consented dwellings in March 2019 compared to March 2018, led by Wellington (down 55 to 231; -19%), Manawatu-Wanganui (down 47 to 90; -34%), and Bay of Plenty (down 41 to 152; -21%). Northland, Taranaki, Southland, and Tasman also experienced decreases.

Non-residential building consents

In the year ended March 2019, non-residential building consents totalled $7.1bn, up 7.6% from the March 2018 year. The building types with the highest value were:

• Shops, restaurants, and bars — $1.1bn (up 34%)
• Education buildings — $1.1bn (up 4.8%)
• Storage buildings — $968 million (up 20%)