Trend in Number of New Dwellings Declines

Embargoed until 10:45am – 28 July 2006

Trend in Number of New Dwellings Declines

Building consents issued in June 2006 confirmed a downward trend in the number of new dwelling units in the first half of 2006, Statistics New Zealand said today. Consents for 1,883 new dwelling units were issued in June 2006, 246 fewer than in June 2005.

The trend for the number of new dwelling units, excluding apartment units, has been declining since November 2005. Consents for 1,802 new dwelling units, excluding apartments, were issued in June 2006, 90 fewer than in June 2005.

There were 81 apartment unit consents issued in June 2006, compared with 217 in May and 170 in April.

Apartments accounted for 4 percent of all new dwelling units authorised in June 2006, compared with a monthly average of 14 percent for the year prior to June 2006. Apartment consents are volatile and can vary considerably from month to month.

The value of consents issued for non-residential buildings in June 2006 was $411 million, $5 million higher than for the same month last year. Shops, restaurants and taverns (up $33 million) showed the largest increase. Hotels and boarding houses (down $134 million) showed the largest decrease, as June 2005 consents included $150 million worth of prison facilities.

Six out of 16 regions authorised fewer new dwelling units in June 2006 than in June 2005. Auckland (down 218 units) recorded the largest decrease when comparing the two June months, followed by Hawke's Bay (down 45 units). Waikato (up 18 units) recorded the largest increase. Both the North and South Islands recorded decreases.

Brian Pink
Government Statistician

ENDS

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