Apartments boost April consent numbers

There were 771 new apartment units authorised in April 2008, compared with 204 in April 2007, StatisticsNew Zealand said today.

This is the highest monthly total since March 2005, and includes three apartmentbuildings with more than 150 units each.

Apartment numbers can vary considerably from month to month.

Excluding apartments, there were 1,602 new housing units authorised in April 2008, 24 more than in thesame month last year.

The trend has been declining since June 2007.

There were two extra working days in April 2008 compared with April 2007 (and two fewer in March) due toEaster occurring in March this year.

Although it is not possible to quantify the impact, this may havecontributed to a higher number of consents issued for housing units in April 2008.

In nine of New Zealand's 16 regions, there were more new housing units authorised in April 2008 comparedwith April 2007, with Wellington and Auckland recording the largest increases, due to apartments.

Residential building consents issued in April 2008 were valued at $645 million, up $70 million from April2007.Non-residential building consents issued in April 2008 were valued at $468 million, up $171 million fromApril 2007, boosted by the extension to the Ngawha Geothermal Power Station.

Geoff BascandGovernment Statistician

There is a companion Hot Off The Press information release published – Building Consents Issued: April2008.