House consents at four-year high

Annual consents for stand-alone houses reached their highest level since 2022, with 19,228 approved in the year ended September 2026 – an increase of 20.3% compared with the previous year

In total, 41,091 new homes were consented in the year ended September 2026 – an increase of 17.8% compared with the year ended September 2025.

The total comprised 19,228 stand-alone houses (+20.3%) and 21,863 multi-unit homes (+15.7%).

Of the multi-unit homes consented, there were 17,756 townhouses, flats and units (+18%), 2,356 apartments (-10.7%) and 1,751 retirement village units (+43.5%).

Monthly decreases

In September 2026, 3,570 new dwellings were consented – a decrease of 4.7% compared with September 2025. This comprised 1,733 stand-alone houses (+8.2%), 1,305 townhouses, flats and units (-20.1%), 411 apartments (-5.7%) and 121 retirement village units (+59.2%).

In seasonally adjusted terms, the number of new dwellings consented fell 7.9% compared with August 2026, following a 5.3% increase the previous month.

Regional growth continues

Thirteen of the 16 regions consented more dwellings in the year ended September 2026 compared with the previous year. Gisborne recorded the largest percentage increase with 209 (+34%), followed by Canterbury with 8,906 (+31%), Bay of Plenty with 1,761 (+27.4%) and Northland with 888 (+22.5%).

Three regions recorded decreases: Taranaki with 430 (-1.8%), Tasman with 280 (-5.1%) and West Coast with 155 (-15.3%).

The four regions with the highest number of new dwellings consented were:

• 17,131 in Auckland (+16.1%).
• 8,906 in Canterbury (+31%).
• 3,265 in Waikato (+13.3%).
• 2,910 in Otago (+8.7%).

Auckland recorded 6,426 stand-alone houses consented (+36.2%), accounting for more than half of the national increase in this dwelling type. Canterbury recorded 4,831 (+27.2%).

Increased consents per 1,000 residents

The number of dwellings consented per 1,000 residents increased to 7.7 for the year ended September 2026, compared with 6.6 in the year ended September 2025.

Three regions recorded rates above the national figure: Canterbury (12.8), Otago (11.5) and Auckland (9.4).

Non-residential building consents decrease

In the year ended September 2026, the value of non-residential building work consented totalled $8.7bn, down 3.1% compared with the previous year. These values include GST and are not adjusted for inflation.

The building types with the highest consent values were:

• Offices, administration and public transport buildings – $1.46bn (–20.5%).
• Education buildings – $1.42bn (+11.9%).
• Storage buildings – $1.33bn (–0.2%).