Our take on the latest Non-residential building consents (Wed 1 Dec 2021)
Value of non-res consents
$814m
In October 2021
Consents grew 60%pa in October
$262m of hospital consents
The key numbers...
- There was $814m worth of non-residential consents in October, the largest monthly value since April 2019. Year-end non-residential consent values are now up 17%pa.
- The largest consent totals in October were for hospitals ($262m), education buildings ($157m), and warehouses ($102m).
- Public sector consents were up 31%pa over the three months to October, while private sector consents were up 6.5%.
- Taranaki had its largest monthly value of consents on record, at $154m, mainly from a $150m hospital consent. Wellington also had a large hospital consent, bolstering the region’s consent value to $125m.
Value of non-residential consents
Annual running total, $b
...and our reaction
- October was the strongest post-pandemic month for non-residential consents and has added to the ongoing strength in building intentions.
- Public sector consenting activity was strong in October, particularly for hospitals, an area of fiscal stimulus that is welcome during a pandemic. Private sector building intentions are also holding up well, all things considered.
- Rising costs and delays for inputs into construction are of concern to many of our clients. Sawn timber prices are very high locally, although a sharp fall in iron ore prices since mid-2021 should start to provide some relief in steel prices during 2022.
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