Non-residential building consents
Non-res consents slightly softer, but the outlook is deteriorating
1 Apr 2026
Our take on the latest Non-residential building consents (Wed 1 Apr 2026)
Value of non-res consents
Annual consents
Public sector consents
$693m
+0.7%
21%In February 2026
From February 2025
From February 2025
The key numbers...
- Non-residential consents softened slightly in February, with the value of consents down 3.2% from January (seasonally adjusted) and 5.6% from February 2025.
- However, the underlying trend in consents was less negative, with the February 2025 result boosted by a $113m factory consent in Wellington. Excluding this large consent, the total value of consents was up 12% from a year earlier.
- Offsetting the decline in factory building consents were solid increases in education, office, social, hospital, and retail building consents from a year ago. Education consents were boosted by more activity in Christchurch and Upper Harbour (Auckland), offices in Whangārei and Franklin, social in Clutha, hospitals in Christchurch and Kaipara, and retail in Queenstown-Lakes.
- The divergent trends in public and private sector consents continued, with public sector consents up $47m from a year ago and private sector consents down $88m.
- The annual volume of private sector consents slipped to a new 12-year low, while the corresponding figure for public sector consents reached a two-year high.
...and our reaction
- Increased levels of public sector work continue to support reasonably stable consenting activity in the non-residential sector. However, the private sector remains reluctant to push ahead with new projects.
- Today’s data reflects construction intentions ahead of the Iran war that started at the end of February. Given the uncertainty being caused by the conflict, it is possible that an increased proportion of recent consents do not progress through into actual construction activity.
- However, we also note the likelihood that construction costs increase in coming quarters due to higher fuel costs directly, as well as flow-on effects due to higher transport costs for materials and componentry. Some projects could be expedited before costs are significantly increased, but beyond this near-term effect, we anticipate that higher costs are likely to have an additional dampening effect on non-residential construction activity over the next 12-24 months.
Latest updates
Premium
Non-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 yearsPremium
Non-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 2025Non-residential building consents
Non-res consents hold steady in January
Tue 3 Mar 2026
Monthly
$607m Value of non-res consents in January 2026
$82m Office consents from January 2025Provincial areas outperforming urban centres