Our take on the latest Non-residential building consents (Wed 1 Jul 2020)
Value of non-res consents
$553m
As of May 2020
Total non-residential consents down 5.5%pa in May
Warehouse consents of $133m in May
The key numbers...
- The total value of non-residential consents, at $553m, showed a reasonable bounce back from the $364m of consented work in April, but was still 5.5%pa lower than May last year.
- New Zealand’s more urban areas saw the large declines in non-residential consent values, with Auckland down 31%, Canterbury down 24%, and Wellington down 35%pa.
- Outside major urban centres New Zealand performed better, with non-residential consents in Manawatu-Wanganui and Bay of Plenty for example valued at a combined $127m, accounting for 23% of the total value of non-residential consents in May.
- A $48m distribution centre in Palmerston North helped push warehouse consents growth to 28%pa.
- Consents for factories, offices, and hotels were responsible for most of the decline, falling 46%, 33% and 77%pa respectively.
Value of consents granted
Annual total, $ m
...and our reaction
- The value of non-residential consents was relatively strong in May, all things considered, and is a welcome improvement on March and April when restrictions hindered consents.
- However, with borders still shut confidence in the tourism and retail sectors is limited and will prevent non-residential consents bouncing back towards “normal” levels.
- Public consents are still taking a pause, but we expect they will start trickle through later this year as money from the Budget gets allocated.
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 2025Office 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