New Dwelling Numbers Remain at High Level

New Dwelling Numbers Remain at High Level

Consents were issued for 2,704 new dwelling units in August 2003, according to Statistics New Zealand. This is the highest number of new dwellings recorded for an August month since 1975.

For the last three months ending August 2003, the average number of new dwelling units was 2,600 units. This compares with average numbers of 2,400 units for the three months ending May 2003 and 2,100 units for the three months ending February 2003. Consents were issued for 2,390 new dwelling units, excluding apartment units, for August 2003.

This is the highest monthly new dwelling units number recorded, excluding apartment units, since the series began in January 1990. The trend value for the number of new dwelling units remains steady.

Thirteen out of 16 regions recorded more new dwelling units in August 2003 compared with August 2002. Auckland (up 179 units) recorded the largest increase in new dwelling units when comparing the two August months, followed by Wellington (up 137 units) and Bay of Plenty (up 62 units). The Auckland region continued to be the main contributor to the total number of new dwellings with 1,031 or 38 percent.

The total value of non-residential building consents issued in August 2003 was $212 million. This follows totals of $310 million in July 2003 and $251 million in June 2003. Consents issued for shops, restaurants and taverns were worth $41 million, 19 percent of the total non-residential buildings value in August 2003, followed by offices and administration buildings with $34 million or 16 percent, factories and industrial buildings with $29 million or 14 percent and education buildings with $27 million or 13 percent.

The total value of consents issued for all buildings in August 2003 was $771 million. Residential buildings contributed 72 percent of the total value for all buildings in August 2003, compared with 66 percent for August 2002. For the year ended August 2003, the total value of consents for all buildings was $8,533 million, up $1,134 million or 15 percent when compared with the year ended August 2002.

Brian Pink

Government Statistician

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