Our take on the latest Non-residential building consents (Fri 30 Aug 2019)
Value of non-resconsents
$658m
In July 2019
Hostel and prison consents up $106m from July 2017
Canterbury consents up 193%pa
The key numbers...
- After a couple of months of disappointing results, non-residential consents grew 27%pa in July, with total consents worth $141m more than a year prior. However, it is important to note this result is down 1.9% from June (seasonally adjusted).
- Most of this growth came from hostel and prison building, particularly in Christchurch, where consents were $89m higher than a year prior. This strong growth in the Garden City was due to a $39m university student hall and a $33m prison consent.
- On the back of Christchurch, the Canterbury region contributed the most to growth this month, up $124m (a whopping 193%pa!). Consents in Auckland were the next strongest (but dull in comparison), with $30m more consents than a year ago, pushing activity in the region up 14%pa.
The sectors to watch
Contribution to annual % change, three months ended Jul-19
...and our reaction
- After a disappointing June quarter, July gives us a promising start to the next three months. Due to a number of projects in the pipeline, we expect this growth to carry through the rest of the quarter.
- Despite the headline growth appearing strong, we are wary of growth in the industry, with economic conditions and general sentiment looking shaky.
- Low business confidence and investment intentions will remain a major drag on future growth in the non-residential building industry.
Latest updates
Premium
Non-residential building consents
Warehouses prevent further non-res falls in June
Mon 3 Aug 2026
Monthly
$701m Value of non-res consents in June 2026
7.4% Total non-res consents from May 2026 (seas adj)37%pa Warehouse consents from June 2025Premium
Non-residential building consents
Non-res consents weaker still in May
Thu 2 Jul 2026
Monthly
$789m Value of non-res consents in May 2026
19% Monthly consents from May 202549% Public sector consents from May 2025Non-residential building consents
Non-res consents mostly softer in April
Wed 3 Jun 2026
Monthly
$655m Value of non-res consents in April 2026
15% Monthly consents from April 2025
Office and education consents at lowest monthly levels in 5-6 yearsNon-residential building consents
Consents strong in March, but shadow of conflict looms
Fri 1 May 2026
Monthly
$862m Value of non-res consents in March 2026
15% Monthly consents from Mar 2025$119m Hostel consents from Mar 2025