Stats NZ today released the national Building Consent figures for July 2022. The headline of 50,614 new residential dwelling consents shows record consenting levels continuing however let's look at some of the data.

There were more townhouses consented in the last 12 months (16,228) than all residential consents in 2016 combined. To provide further context of this growth, in 2012 Auckland had 945 annual multi-unit building consents. A little bit more focus on Auckland reveals that of the 4,100 new residential dwellings consented nationally, 1,825 were in Auckland (44.5%) and 83% of Auckland's dwellings (1,514) were flats, townhouses and apartments. In July last year 630 stand-alone houses were consented, there is a developing decreasing trend this year, with only 311 stand alone homes consented in July.

The national average is more balanced with stand alone homes representing 46% of all residential building consents.

Record levels of commercial projects were consented in the year to July 2022. For the first time commercial consents were valued at $9B for the year, with warehouses and factories representing 29% of total commercial construction, valued at $2.6B. Education is still the standout with $1.5B, with a strong growth in offices, particularly in the last quarter to $1.4B.

For a full summary of July's building consents pleaseread the release from Stats NZ.

*Multi-unit homes include townhouses, flats, and units; apartments; and retirement village units.

Image: Stats NZ