Housing consents rise in South Island

The number of new houses consented edged up just 0.3 percent in August 2012, compared with August 2011, Statistics New Zealand said today. There were 1,513 new houses consented in August, including 140 apartments.

"There was little change in the number of new houses at a national level, because an increase in the South Island was offset by a fall in the North Island," acting industry and labour statistics manager Clara Eatherley said. "Both movements were largely due to changes in the number of apartments, which can vary a lot each month."

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

• 1,513 new houses, including apartments (up 0.3 percent)
• 1,373 new houses, excluding apartments (up 3.2 percent)
• 140 new apartments (down from 179 apartments).

Canterbury and Southland regions had the largest increases in new housing numbers in August 2012. The growth in Canterbury continues to be in the Waimakariri, Selwyn, and Ashburton districts, while the number of new houses consented fell in Christchurch city.

Compared with July 2012, and after removing seasonal fluctuations, the number of new houses, including apartments, increased 1.9 percent in August 2012. Excluding apartments, the number of new houses increased 4.3 percent. The trend for both series rose during much of 2011 and the beginning of 2012, but has eased in recent months.

In Canterbury, earthquake-related building consents totalled $47 million in August 2012. Of this, $24 million was for residential work, the highest amount for a month since the series began in September 2010, and $22 million was for non-residential work.

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

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