According to Stats NZ, in the 12 months to the end of April 2021, 42,848 new dwellings were consented, with the monthly total of 3,994 (slightly down on the March 2021 record figure). The monthly total of consents was up nearly 84% from April 2020, which was impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns and higher alert levels.

A rising number of townhouses, flats, and units consents has been attributed to the increase in new home consents. “The rise in consent numbers for townhouses, flats, and units means that the typical new home is becoming smaller and is likely to be built closer to others. This trend has been particularly evident in larger cities, such as Auckland,” says Michael Heslop, Construction Stats Manager, Stats NZ. Townhouses, flats, and units accounted for around 44% of all new homes consented in Auckland for the year ended April 2021, and stand-alone houses around 36%.

In the April 2021 year, commercial consents totalled $7.7 billion, up 5.3% from the last 17 months. The commercial building types with the highest values were education buildings (up 62%), storage buildings (up 27%) and office, administration, and public transport buildings (up 11%). 

Image: Stats NZ

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