Residential buildings
In January 2009, consents were issued for:
- 812 new dwelling units, including apartments, the lowest monthly total since this series began in April 1965
- 745 new dwellings, excluding apartments, the lowest monthly total since this series began 19 years ago
- 67 new apartment units.
Apartments contributed 8 percent to the number of new dwellings authorised in January 2009, compared with a monthly average of 11 percent for the previous 12 months.
The seasonally adjusted number of new dwellings authorised, excluding apartments, fell 8.2 percent in January 2009. This series has been falling in recent months and is now at its lowest level since the series began 17 years ago.
Including apartments, the seasonally adjusted number of new dwellings authorised fell 13 percent in January 2009.
Movements in the monthly series for seasonally adjusted dwelling numbers for March to June 2008 should be treated with caution. During this period, these series exhibited greater variability than usual. This was due to the high number of dwellings, particularly apartments, authorised in April 2008, and the impact of Easter being in March instead of April.
The trend series for the number of authorised new dwellings, both including and excluding apartments, have fallen more than 50 percent since the most recent peak in June 2007.
The value of residential building consents was $329 million in January 2009, a 39 percent decrease compared with January 2008. The trend has fallen 40 percent since the peak in June 2007.
For the year ended January 2009, residential building consents valued at $6,023 million were issued, a 23 percent decrease from the January 2008 year.
Regional residential results
In 14 of New Zealand's 16 regions, fewer new dwelling units were authorised in January 2009 than in January 2008. Numbers fell by 646 units (54 percent) in the North Island, and by 285 units (52 percent) in the South Island.
The following regions had the largest decreases from January 2008, as well as recording the highest regional numbers of new dwellings authorised for January 2009:
- Auckland, down 270 units, to 186
- Canterbury, down 181 units, to 112
- Waikato, down 108 units to 102.
Non-residential buildings
The value of non-residential building consents was $362 million in January 2009, an increase of 15 percent compared with January 2008. Eight of the 11 building types recorded increases in the value of consents compared with January 2008.
For January 2009 compared with January 2008, the largest increases were:
- shops, restaurants and taverns, up $41 million
- offices and administration buildings, up $36 million.
These increases were partly offset by decreases for storage buildings, down $34 million, and farm buildings, down $14 million.
The three largest contributors to the value of consents authorised in January 2009 were offices and administration buildings, at 32 percent, followed by shops, restaurants and taverns at 21 percent, and education buildings at 15 percent.
All buildings
In January 2009, the value of consents issued for all buildings was $692 million, a decrease of 19 percent compared with January 2008.
Residential buildings contributed 48 percent to the total value of all buildings in January 2009, while non-residential buildings contributed 52 percent. This is the first month since June 1998 that residential buildings have contributed less than non-residential buildings. For the previous 12 months, the average monthly contribution of residential buildings was 58 percent.
For the year ended January 2009 compared with the January 2008 year, the total value of consents issued for:
- all buildings was $10,594 million, down $1,462 million (12 percent)
- residential buildings was $6,023 million, down $1,760 million (23 percent)
- non-residential buildings was $4,571 million, up $298 million (7.0 percent).
For technical information contact:
Tina Waterhouse or Bill Humphrey
Christchurch 03 964 8700
Email: info@stats.govt.nz.
Next release ...
Building Consents Issued: February 2009 will be released on 30 March 2009.