Our take on the latest Ready-mixed concrete (Thu 10 Aug 2023)
Concrete volumes down 11%pa from June 2022 quarter
Concrete volume bounces back in Gisborne and Hawkes Bay
Canterbury share of total concrete volumes rising
The key numbers...
- There was 1.1 million cubic metres of ready-mixed concrete produced across New Zealand in the June 2023 quarter, down 0.4% from the March quarter after adjusting for seasonal effects. This fall was a markedly better result compared to the last four quarters of declines over 2.0%.
- Concrete volumes declined from the March 2023 quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis across all North Island regions apart from Gisborne-Hawke’s Bay, where volumes rose 16% as the region bounced back from the previous cyclone-affected quarter.
- Although lower North Island concrete volumes fell, there was a 7.4% increase from March (seasonally-adjusted) in the Wellington metropolitan area.
- Parts of the South Island saw better results, with concrete volumes rising 5.6% in Canterbury, and 6.4% in Otago.
- Annual concrete volumes are now sitting at the lowest point in two years, after a burst of stronger activity up until mid-2022. Canterbury was the only region to see an increase in concrete volumes, up 3.5%pa over the 12 months to June 2023.
Concrete volumes now declining less rapidly
000m3, quarterly ready-mixed concrete volumes, seas. adj.
...and our reaction
- Concrete volumes recovered some ground lost from the cyclone hit at the start of 2023, with volumes in Gisborne-Hawke’s Bay bouncing back. But Auckland volumes fell further, as poor weather continued and concrete activity remains more challenged.
- Overall, concrete volume declines are easing across the board and might be stabilising at a lower level. But with only one quarter of data, it’s too early yet to say definitively whether we have entered a more stable period for concrete production.
- Although building intentions are falling, the strong pipeline of work, and sustained investment in infrastructure, are expected to support a stable level of concrete production around this level.
- Strong concrete production in Canterbury is consistent with the region being a primary driver of non-residential consent values. Vertical construction of the new Christchurch stadium, Te Kaha, has now commenced, and the council has also green-lit an upgrade to the surrounding streets, which will support Canterbury’s concrete demand over the second half of 2023. Canterbury has expanded its share of New Zealand’s total concrete production from 14% in the June 2022 quarter, to 17% in the June 2023 quarter.
- We also expect health infrastructure investment to support concrete volumes over the remainder of 2023, given the ongoing construction of Dunedin Hospital, as well as new mental health facilities in the Bay of Plenty and several projects in Auckland.
Latest updates
Premium
Ready-mixed concrete
Further concrete rise supported by South Island growth
Wed 12 Aug 2026
Quarterly
12%pa Concrete volumes in Jun 2026 quarter22%pa Concrete volumes in the South Island
Volumes above 1 million m3 for the first time in 2½ yearsPremium
Ready-mixed concrete
South Island drives continued growth in concrete
Tue 12 May 2026
Quarterly
1.8%pa Concrete volumes in Mar 2026 quarter1.1% Concrete volumes from Dec 2025 quarter (sa)21% Christchurch concrete volumes from Mar 2025 quarterReady-mixed concrete
A turning point for concrete volumes?
Wed 11 Feb 2026
Quarterly
0.4%pa Concrete volumes from Dec 2024 quarter2.4% Concrete volumes from Sep 2025 quarter (sa)South Island leads growthReady-mixed concrete
Concrete volumes still under pressure
Wed 12 Nov 2025
Quarterly
Concrete volumes in Sep quarter up 2.3% from Jun (sa)
Annual concrete volumes down by 6.2%paAnnual concrete volumes in Otago/Southland up by 5.1%pa