Dwelling Consents Ease

Embargoed until 10:45am – 31 May 2006

Dwelling Consents Ease

Building consents for 1,558 new dwelling units were issued in April 2006, 59 fewer than in April 2005, Statistics New Zealand said today. April 2005 was the first month after higher consent application fees were introduced, as a result of an increase to the Department of Building and Housing levy, and new building requirements came into effect through the Building Act 2004.

The trend for the number of new dwelling units (excluding apartment units) is easing. Consents for 1,388 new dwelling units (excluding apartments) were issued in April 2006, 75 fewer than in April 2005.

For residential buildings, the value of consents issued in April 2006 was $444 million, $9 million (2.0 percent) higher than in April last year.

The total value of consents issued for non-residential buildings was $209 million in April 2006, down $19 millon (8.4 percent) from April 2005. The largest contributor to the April 2006 value was office and administration buildings, at $38 million. The trend for the value of non-residential buildings remains at a relatively high level.

Brian Pink
Government Statistician

ENDS

There is a companion Hot Off The Press information release published – Building Consents Issued: April 2006.

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