It is the most consented in a year since the mid-1970s
A total of 35,472 new homes have been consented in the year ended July 2019 – the most consented in a year since the mid-1970s, according to Statistics New Zealand.
The data agency pointed out that this is the first time the number of new homes consented in a year went over 35,000 since December 1974 – when 35,046 new homes were consented.
“Although we are now consenting over 35,000 new homes a year, this is still below the record 40,025 new homes consented at the peak in the February 1974 year,” said Melissa McKenzie, construction statistics manager at Stats NZ.
The population of New Zealand in the mid-1970s was around 3 million compared to around 4.9 million this year.
Read more: Auckland dwelling consents hit all time high
According to Stats NZ, the number of new homes consented increased 8.0% in the year ended July 2019 compared to that last year – a possible result of Auckland dwelling consents hitting an all-time high with 14,032 new homes.
In a previous report, it pointed out that the number of new homes consented in the region increased to 13% from last June – more than four times the lows seen in 2009.
“Canterbury also consented more new homes in the July 2019 year than the previous year. While below the peak of 2014, the level of new homes consented was above those seen prior to earthquake rebuild activities that began in 2011,” McKenzie added.
The number of homes consented every month can vary significantly due to timing of large multi-dwelling projects such as apartment buildings and townhouses.
