Apartments boost June housing consents

Embargoed until 10:45am – 30 July 2007

Apartments boost June housing consents

There were 2,574 new housing units authorised in June 2007 compared with 1,994 in June 2006, an increase of 29 percent, Statistics New Zealand said today. This was boosted by consents for 561 new apartment units, the highest monthly total since December 2005. The trend for the number of new housing units (including apartments) has been increasing since January 2007.

Excluding apartments, there were 2,013 new housing units authorised in June 2007, compared with 1,802 in June 2006.

Thirteen of the 16 regions authorised more new housing units in June 2007 than in June 2006, with the largest increases occurring in Auckland and Wellington, mainly due to apartments. Both the North and South Islands recorded an increase in the number of new housing units authorised.

The value of consents issued for all residential buildings was $692 million, compared with $564 million in June 2006. The trend for the value of all residential buildings has been increasing for the past six months.

The value of consents issued for non-residential buildings was $382 million, $31 million lower than in June 2006. Hotels and other short-term accommodation recorded the largest decrease, and shops, restaurants and taverns recorded the largest increase.

Geoff Bascand
Government Statistician
30 July 2007

ENDS

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