Our take on the latest Residential building consents (Fri 30 Aug 2019)
Annual dwelling consents
35,472
As of July 2019
Consents up 24%pa in July
Apartment consents up 48%pa in July
The key numbers...
- The number of new dwelling consents grew 24%pa in July, which was significantly stronger than growth in June (3.4%pa).
- House and non-house consents numbers both contributed to strong growth in July, up 21%pa and 29% respectively.
- Consent growth was strong in all the major regions: consents in Auckland were up 16%pa, Canterbury 40%, Wellington 43%, Waikato 34%, and Bay of Plenty up 58%.
- Otago and Manawatū-Whanganui were the only regions to have negative growth in consent numbers, down 28% and 23%pa respectively.
- Apartment consent numbers continued their rise, up 166 from July last year (or 48%pa). Most of this growth came from Auckland (up 155 units from July 2018).
Consent growth by dwelling type
Year-end % changes
...and our reaction
- The annual total of consents is over double what it was in 2012 as residential construction activity continues to ramp up to deal with the housing shortage.
- Continued growth in higher-density housing is being welcomed, particularly in Auckland, but all new dwelling type consents are addressing the undersupply.
- We expect the number of consents to keep growing throughout the rest of 2019 despite easing population growth, providing a good opportunity to rebalance the housing market.
- Fewer consents and weaker house prices are expected in 2020 as underlying demand eases.
Latest updates
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Residential building consents
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Mon 3 Aug 2026
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40,581 Annual consents over the June 2026 year
19% June 2026 consents over the June 2026 year
3.6% June 2026 consents from May on a seas. adj. basisPremium
Residential building consents
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Wed 3 Jun 2026
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39,087 Annual consents over April 2026 year11% April 2026 consents from March on a seas. adj. basis19%pa Multi-unit consents over April 2026 yearResidential building consents
Residential consent momentum trends sideways
Fri 1 May 2026
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37,813 Annual consents over March 2026 year
3,300pm Consents trend sideways on a seas. adj. basis14%pa Townhouse consents over March 2026 year