Earthquake-related consents up in May

Consents for 68 new homes identified as related to the Canterbury earthquakes were authorised in May 2011, of which 63 were relocatable units intended to house displaced residents, Statistics New Zealand said today. This represents a big increase in earthquake-related consents.

"The latest month's figure makes up over three-quarters of all new homes identified as earthquake-related since September 2010," industry and labour statistics manager Louise Holmes-Oliver said. "In total, earthquake-related consents were valued at $28 million in May, almost doubling the value of those identified since September 2010."

Canterbury also had the largest increase in new homes of New Zealand's 16 regions, up 14 to 251 homes in May 2011, compared with May 2010. The number of new homes authorised in the North Island fell by almost a quarter, while the South Island remained at a similar level. Fewer new homes were authorised in 10 of the 16 regions, with the biggest decreases recorded in Auckland (down 85 homes), Wellington (down 52 homes), Waikato (down 39 homes), and Taranaki (down 37 homes).

Consents for 1,139 new homes, including apartments, were authorised in May 2011. Although the trend for this series, which shows the long-term picture, has fallen to its lowest level since the series began, the rate of decline has eased.

"This continues the picture we saw in April, with signs that the decline in residential consents is easing," Mrs Holmes-Oliver said. "After adjusting for seasonal effects, the numbers of new homes, both including and excluding apartments, have risen in the latest month. Also, the trend for new dwellings excluding apartments, which was declining, appears to have reached a turning point."

The value of non-residential building consents increased by $52 million (17 percent) in May 2011 compared with May 2010. Hospitals and nursing homes recorded the largest increase ($56 million) followed by shops, restaurants, and taverns ($43 million). Social, cultural, and religious buildings had the largest decrease ($56 million).

Data for building consents is obtained from all territorial authorities.

For more information on monthly building consent statistics, please see Building Consents Issued: May 2011.

Highlights

-Consents for 68 new dwellings identified as earthquake-related were issued in Canterbury in May 2011.

 -$28 million worth of earthquake-related consents were identified in Canterbury, almost half the value of all earthquake-related consents identified from September 2010.

-The number of new dwelling units authorised in the North Island fell by almost a quarter, while the South Island remained at a similar level compared with May 2010.

-1,139 new dwelling units, including apartments, were authorised, down 16 percent compared with May 2010.

-The trend for the number of new dwellings authorised, including apartments, is falling, but the rate of decline has eased.

-The seasonally adjusted number of new dwellings authorised, both including and excluding apartments, rose for May 2011.

-Compared with May 2010, the value of residential building consents fell $93 million (19 percent), while non-residential consents rose $52 million (17 percent)