New homes in new zealand on the up

Data from Statistics New Zealand, released last week, shows that a boost in new apartments has seen the number of new properties in the country rise by 1.9 per cent in February 2013 - a promising sign for the new build home sector. Indeed, while apartment numbers vary a lot from month to month, figures continue to show a positive trend for new houses.

The largest increase in the number of new houses was in the Auckland region, up 160 (51 percent) to 473. This includes 130 apartments, up from zero in February 2012. Canterbury had the second-largest regional increase in new houses, up 91 (35 percent) to 351. There were no new apartments consented in Canterbury this month, compared with 16 a year ago.

The seasonally adjusted number of new non-apartment houses fell 3.6 percent in February 2013, after 9.5 percent growth in January. Earthquake-related building consents in Canterbury totalled $35 million in February 2013, including 55 new houses. This is the lowest monthly total since April 2012.

Housing consent numbers for February 2013, compared with February 2012, were 1,493, including apartments - a rise of 24 percent - and 1,351 new houses, excluding apartments - up 18 percent.

 “The trend for new houses continues to grow, whether or not apartments are included. The number of new houses consented has been trending up for almost two years and is now 53 percent higher than the most recent low point in March 2011,” industry and labour statistics manager Blair Cardno said.

Cardno added: “This trend for the number of new houses, including apartments, is now at its highest level since May 2008.”