Residential building consents

Record high after record high for residential

31 Aug 2021
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Andrew Beattie

Our take on the latest Residential building consents (Tue 31 Aug 2021)

45,119
Residential consents in the year to July 2021
Total consents up 20%pa over last 12 months
New annual consents record

The key numbers...

  • There were 4,211 residential consents in July, taking the annual running total to a new record of 45,119.
  • July’s result was the strongest monthly figure on record (seasonally adjusted), the seventh time a new record has been set in the last 10 months. July’s figure was 24% above than the pre-2020 high reached in June 2004.
  • In the month of July, townhouse consents grew 21%pa and standalone house consents increased 20%pa, but apartment consents fell 13%pa.
  • There was a record number of 398 retirement dwelling units in July.
  • Over the previous 12 months there has been more interest in townhouses, which are up 41%pa, compared to apartments, which are only up 11%pa.
  • Canterbury was the top regional performer, with 320 more consents in July than a year ago. Waikato and Auckland were the next biggest contributors to July’s growth, with consent numbers up 128 and 122 respectively.

Attached dwelling consents

Annual running total
4019

...and our reaction

  • July was yet another strong month of residential consents as interest rates remain low and house prices soar. However, strong signals to raise interest rates by the Reserve Bank and lockdown inconveniences could slow growth in consent numbers over the second half of 2021.
  • Townhouses are quickly becoming one of the favourite builds for new developers, as they have become increasingly popular among buyers but require less land than standalone houses, which is where a lot of cost escalation has occurred over the medium term.
  • Apartments are growing at a slower rate, as demand for this build type is likely to have suffered from the loss of international students, who like the downtown convenience that typically comes with an apartment.

Latest updates

Premium
Residential building consents

Residential consents fall 3.6% in June

Mon 3 Aug 2026
Monthly
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. basis
Premium
Residential building consents

Residential consents fall 4.0% in May

Thu 2 Jul 2026
Monthly
39,737 Annual consents over May 2026 year
4.0% May 2026 consents from April on a seas. adj. basis
22%pa Townhouse consents over May 2026 year
Residential building consents

Residential consents jump up 11% in April

Wed 3 Jun 2026
Monthly
39,087 Annual consents over April 2026 year
11% April 2026 consents from March on a seas. adj. basis
19%pa Multi-unit consents over April 2026 year
Residential building consents

Residential consent momentum trends sideways

Fri 1 May 2026
Monthly
37,813 Annual consents over March 2026 year
3,300pm Consents trend sideways on a seas. adj. basis
14%pa Townhouse consents over March 2026 year