Low housing consent numbers continue

Building consent statistics for the month of April 2009 show the trend for the number of new housing units
authorised, excluding apartment units, continues to be at a low level, Statistics New Zealand said today.
The trend is currently at its lowest level since this series began in January 1992, and has fallen by more
than half since June 2007, although there are signs that the decline is easing.

The seasonally adjusted number of new housing units authorised, excluding apartments, rose 4.5 percent
in April 2009.

In April 2009, there were 1,009 new housing units authorised, including 199 apartment units.
The value of non-residential consents ($530 million) for April 2009 is the highest recorded since this series
began in April 1965, but has been boosted by the Christchurch International Airport development.

Geoff Bascand
Government Statistician
29 May 2009

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See also the Hot Off The Press information release Building Consents Issued: April 2009.