South Island boosts new dwelling consents in June

The value of residential building consents rose in June 2012, compared with June 2011, Statistics New Zealand said today. The total value of residential building consents rose 27 percent to $456 million for June 2012. The value trend has increased 30 percent since April 2011.

"The South Island drove the increase in residential building consents in June," industry and labour statistics manager Blair Cardno said. "In June, the number of new housing approvals in Canterbury more than doubled from a record low one year ago, and increased by over 90 percent in the Otago region."

Canterbury had the largest regional increase in new housing numbers in June 2012, up to 296 from just 133 in June 2011, the lowest June month since the series began in 1991. The majority of consents continued to be outside Christchurch city, in the surrounding districts – Waimakariri, Selwyn, and Ashburton. The next-largest regional increase was in Wellington (up 83), most of which was Wellington city apartments. Otago followed, with an increase of 60.

Housing consent numbers for June 2012, compared with June 2011, were:

• 1,277 new houses, including apartments (up 28 percent)
• 1,159 new houses, excluding apartments (up 24 percent)
• 118 new apartments, 47 of which were retirement village units (up from 60 apartments).

Compared with May 2012, and after removing seasonal fluctuations, the number of new houses increased in June 2012, both including and excluding apartments. These increases follow decreases in both April and May, and are consistent with the volatile nature of the series. The trend for the number of new houses, excluding apartments, has been rising over the last year.

In Canterbury, earthquake-related building consents totalled $45 million in June 2012. Of this, $26 million was for non-residential work and $19 million was for residential work, including 27 new houses.

Data for building consents is obtained from all territorial authorities in New Zealand.

See also:  Building Consents Issued: June 2012  –  Information release