NORTH ISLAND CONSENTS AT ALL-TIME HIGH

New home consents in the North Island reach 29,310 in November – the highest number recorded since the regional serious began 1991

In total, 3,881 new dwellings were consented in November– an increase of 1.2% from October accounting for seasonality. This is down from the 8.8% month-on-month increase from September to October.

The November figures comprised of 2,056 standalone houses; 1,219 townhouses, flats, and units; 408 apartments; and 198 retirement units.

“Townhouses, flats, and units have been a major driver of housing growth in recent years. Auckland in particular has seen a rapid increase in the number of medium- to high-density housing being consented,” said Construction Statistics Manager Michael Heslop.

In the year ended November 2020, the total number of new dwellings consented was 38,624 — up 4.2% from the year ended November 2019. This consisted of 21,947 houses; 10,633 townhouses, flats, and units; 3,557 apartments; and 1,844 retirement units.

In the regions

Eight of the 16 regions consented more dwellings in November 2020 compared to November 2019, led by Auckland (up 620 to 1,740; +55.4%) Canterbury (up 70 to 596; + 13.3%) and Hawke’s Bay (up 39 to 130; 42.9%). Northland, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Taranaki, and Nelson also showed an increase.

Six of the remaining regions saw a decrease in dwellings consented over the same period, led by Wellington (down 74 to 284; -20.7%), Otago (down 26 to 150; -14.8%) and Manawatu-Whanganui (down 24 to 117; -17%). Waikato, Tasman, and Southland also recorded decreases.

The remaining two regions, Marlborough, and the West Coast, saw no changes to consented dwellings.

Non-residential building consents

In the year ended November 2020, non-residential building consents totalled $7.0 bn, down 6% from the November 2019 year. The building types with the highest value were:

• Education buildings – $1.1bn (up 9.3%)
• Storage buildings – $1.1bn (up 20 %)
• Offices, administration, and public transport buildings – $967m (down 1.3%).