Our take on the latest Non-residential building consents (Wed 3 Mar 2021)
Value of non-res consents
$481m
In February 2021
Education building consents grew by $65m
Public consents rose 120% in January
The key numbers...
- The $481m worth of non-residential consents in January 2021 is 3.5%pa lower than in January last year.
- Public building consents have recently been strong, with their value up 50%pa over the last three months, but private consents are down 5.3%pa over the same period.
- Education and factory building consents were the most positive contributors to January’s numbers, totalling $156m and $80m respectively and accounting for nearly 50% of the value.
- Retail, social and cultural, and hostel building continues to contract, down 48%, 56%, and 66%pa respectively over the last three months.
Value of consents granted
Year-end % change
...and our reaction
- Public consents have been picking up again in recent months, and the counter-cyclical relationship between public and private spending is likely to be particularly obvious over the coming year.
- Although public sector activity has lifted sharply, there appears to have been less of a knee-jerk reaction to COVID-19 from the private sector, with no sharp-drop off in general building intentions.
- Outside of areas with some reliance on spending from international tourism the private sector is showing some resilience, and recent strength in factory consents is a good example.
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