Consents take upward turn in August

A total of 3,261 new dwellings were consented in August — a seasonally adjusted 0.8% increase, following 1.3% and 4% decreases in the previous two months.

The August figure comprised 1,955 standalone houses; 75 townhouses, flats, and units; 340 apartments; and 231 retirement village units.

In the year ended August 2019, the actual number of new dwellings consented was 35,658, up 8.8% from the August 2018 year.

In the regions

Nine of the 16 regions consented more dwellings in August 2019 compared to August 2018, led by Canterbury (up 117 to 511; +29%), Auckland (up 109 to 1,407; +8.3%) and Wellington (up 23 to 225; +11%). Northland, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, West Coast, Southland, and Tasman were other regions to consent more dwellings month-on-month.

Five regions saw a decrease in consented dwellings in August 2019 compared to August 2018, led by Waikato (down 54 to 345; -13%) and Bay of Plenty (down 35 to 175; -16%). Manawatu, Otago and Marlborough also experienced decreases. Both Nelson and Gisborne remained unchanged.

Non-residential building consents

In the year ended August 2019, non-residential building consents totalled $7.5bn, up 12% from the August 2018 year. The building types with the highest value were:

• Education buildings — $1.1bn (up 0.5%)
• Shops, restaurants, and bars — $1.1bn (up 11%)
• Social, cultural, and religious buildings — $1bn (up 56%)