Trend for new housing consents continues to rise

The trend for the number of new housing units authorised (excluding apartments) has increased since March 2009, Statistics New Zealand said today. However, the trend is still 29 percent lower than the peak in June 2007.

The number of new housing units authorised (excluding apartments) rose 15.5 percent in April 2010 when adjusted for seasonal effects, to reach its highest number since April 2008. This rise follows an 8.6 percent fall in March 2010. When the volatile apartment category is included, the number of new housing units authorised rose 8.5 percent, following a 0.1 percent rise in March 2010.

"Seasonal adjustment reflects short-term behaviour and in recent months has been influenced by increased variability, which differs from the normal seasonal pattern," said business statistics manager Louise Holmes-Oliver.

In April 2010, residential building consents were issued for:

• 1,309 new housing units (excluding apartments)
• 91 new apartment units.

For the year ended April 2010, the value of consents issued for residential buildings increased $198 million (3.7 percent), while the value for non-residential buildings fell $487 million (11 percent), compared with the year ended April 2009.

Data for building consents is obtained each month from all territorial authorities.

Geoff Bascand 28 May 2010

Government Statistician