Our take on the latest Non-residential building consents (Thu 31 Mar 2022)
Value of non-res consents
$716m
In February 2022
Consents grew 20%pa in Feb 2022
Auckland consents grew 119%pa
The key numbers...
- The value of non-residential building consents grew 20%pa in February and totalled $716m.
- Warehouse consents have been booming in recent months, with a growth rate of 87%pa in their total value over the past three months.
- Accommodation consents are still slow, with hotel consents down 60%pa over the past three months, and hostel consents down 51% over the same period.
- Non-residential consent growth in Auckland was the powerhouse of the nation in February. At $325m, Auckland’s consent value more than doubled its February result last year.
Non-res consents
Annual running total, $m
...and our reaction
- After a shaky start to the year in January, non-residential consents have come out firing in February, with Auckland being the bellwether of the country.
- There has been considerable strength in most non-residential build types, outside of accommodation and education, in recent months.
- Warehouse consents are booming, and it’s probably related to businesses adapting to supply chain issues. With large delays in shipments, it’s better to bulk order which means more storage is required.
- Accommodation building took 18 months after COVID-19 hit to drop away, so even with a foreseeable end to the pandemic, it’s not surprising that consents in this space remain weak. The recent announcements of borders reopening in May seem unlikely to stimulate a pick-up in new projects within the next year or two.
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