Non-residential building consents
Strong factory consent boosts non-res numbers
6 May 2021
Our take on the latest Non-residential building consents (Thu 6 May 2021)
Value of non-res consents
$770m
In April 2021
$106m factory consent in Tauranga
Non-residential consents up 6.1% from February (seas adj)
The key numbers...
- There was a total of $770m worth of non-residential consents in March 2021, up 6.1% from February (seasonally adjusted).
- Both factory and office building consents were strong contributors to growth in March. Factory consents’ share of the total value rose to 22% in March from 12% in February, while office consents grew to 15% from 10% of total consents.
- The strongest region in March was the Bay of Plenty region, with consent values up 98% on March 2019 levels and taking the region’s share of total activity to 20%, up from a mere 5% in February.
- A $106m factory consent in Tauranga was the key factor of this incredible result.
The sectors to watch
Contribution to annual % change, three months ended Mar-21
...and our reaction
- The impacts of COVID-19 were beginning to show through in March 2020 (when consents fell 36%pa) making a comparison of March 2021 to a year ago difficult and a misrepresentation of strength.
- However, despite misleading annual percentage changes, non-residential building consents were strong in March 2021 on a seasonally adjusted basis, continuing to show increased confidence and momentum in the economy.
- In coming months, the impact of COVID-19 and the sharp hit to confidence and investment intentions will continue to artificially inflate the annual growth of non-residential consents.
- However, we have been beginning to notice a return in momentum and confidence in the non-residential building industry, but capacity constraints and cost pressures could limit on this rebound.
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