Housing consents trend still declining

Building consents statistics for January 2008 show a continuing decline in the trend for the number of newhousing units, Statistics New Zealand said today.

Trends (both including and excluding apartments) havebeen decreasing since June 2007.

There were 1,743 new housing units authorised in January 2008, 137 fewer units compared with January2007.

Consents for 203 new apartment units were issued, 16 fewer than in January 2007.

In the North Island, 155 fewer units were authorised compared with January 2007, while in the South Island18 more were authorised.

Half of New Zealand's 16 regions authorised fewer units, with the largestdecreases in Manawatu-Wanganui, down 69 units, and in Waikato, down 55 units.

Residential building consents issued in January 2008 were valued at $543 million, up $5 million fromJanuary 2007.

Non-residential building consents issued in January 2008 were valued at $316 million, up $70 million fromJanuary 2007.