Number of new homes in new zealand hits five-year high

There were 1,755 new houses, including apartments, consented in April 2013. This was the highest number since April 2008, when 2,373 were consented, including 771 apartments.

“April was a bumper month for building consents for new houses across the country. While the numbers were higher in Canterbury and Auckland this month, compared with April 2012, the rest of the country also made a significant contribution to the increase,” industry and labour statistics manager Blair Cardno said.

“In particular, Wellington and Otago regions together consented 185 apartments, boosting new house numbers there."

Housing consent numbers for April 2013, compared with April 2012, were up 43 percent.

The seasonally adjusted number of new houses, including apartments, increased 19 percent in April 2013, up from an 8.3 percent fall in March. Monthly changes in the seasonally adjusted number can be volatile, partly due to the rise and fall in apartment numbers.

The trend for the number of new houses, including apartments, has increased for 25 consecutive months. March 2011 was an historic low in the trend series, and the level is now 61 percent higher.

Earthquake-related building consents in Canterbury were valued at $52 million, including 49 new houses. Non-residential building consents were valued at $308 million in April 2013, up 35 percent compared with April 2012.