Housing consents continue to fall

Building consent statistics show the trend for the number of new housing units has been declining since June 2007, Statistics New Zealand said today.

There were 1,362 new housing units authorised in June 2008, the lowest monthly number since January 2001.

In 15 of New Zealand's 16 regions, fewer new housing units were authorised in June 2008 compared with June 2007, while Tasman authorised the same number.

Residential building consents issued in June 2008 were valued at $455 million, down $236 million from June 2007. This month's total is the lowest since April 2006.

Non-residential building consents issued in June 2008 were valued at $313 million, down $69 million from June 2007.

For the year ended June 2008, the value of consents issued for residential buildings fell $458 million, while non-residential buildings rose $298 million.