Increase in Non-residential Building Consents

Strong Increase in Non-residential Building Consents Issued

The total value of consents issued for non-residential buildings was $366 million in September 2004, up $108 million (42 percent) compared with September 2003, according to Statistics New Zealand. The trend for the value of non-residential buildings has increased in most months since January 2003, with continuous growth since December 2003. In September 2004, the trend level was 36 percent higher than in December 2003.

Consents issued for shops, restaurants and taverns contributed 21 percent to the non-residential buildings total in September 2004, followed by consents for offices and administration buildings (15 percent), and for factories and industrial buildings (13 percent).

Consents for 2,291 new dwelling units were issued in September 2004, down 712 units (24 percent) compared with September 2003. The trend for the number of new dwelling units has been declining since January 2004. For the year ended September 2004, consents for 31,464 new dwelling units were issued, up 1,325 (4 percent) from the year ended September 2003. This total is the largest recorded for a September year since 1974.

Eight out of 16 regions recorded more new dwelling units in September 2004 than in September 2003. Wellington (up 29 units) recorded the largest increase when comparing the two September months, while Auckland (down 633 units) recorded the largest decrease. The Auckland region contributed 718 units (31 percent) to the total number of new dwelling units in September 2004. Over the last 12 months, Auckland's contribution has normally ranged between 31 and 41 percent.

The total value of consents issued for all buildings was $936 million in September 2004, up $78 million (9 percent) compared with September 2003. Residential buildings contributed 61 percent to the total value of all buildings in September 2004, compared with 70 percent in September 2003.

Brian Pink
Government Statistician
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