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The number of new dwellings authorised last month was 18 per cent down on a year earlier, although up on recent months boosted by apartment numbers.
Figures out from Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) today show 1635 building consents for housing units issued in September.
The figure was higher than for the past three months but was bolstered by 366 apartment units, the highest since April and following four months in which apartment numbers varied between 101 and 124.
Excluding apartments, the 1269 housing units authorised were ahead of last month but below all other months for at least the previous two years.
SNZ said the trend for the number of new housing units had been falling since mid-2007, dropping 41 per cent since then to its lowest level since January 1983.
Seasonally adjusted, the number of authorised new dwellings rose 8.4 per cent in September, although when apartments were excluded they fell 0.8 per cent.
While residential consents were falling, the value of consents issued for non-residential buildings in September at $450 million was the second-highest monthly total since November 2005.
The total was boosted by four consents valued at $19m or more each, SNZ said.
The value of consents issued for all buildings in September was $1 billion, 12 per cent up on a year earlier, with residential buildings contributing 55 per cent of the total compared to the average monthly contribution from the previous 12 months of 61 per cent.
For the year ending September the number of new dwellings, including apartments, was down 19 per cent, while excluding apartments the number was down 20 per cent. Apartment numbers were down 12 per cent.
In Auckland the number of dwellings was down 1399 or 22 per cent for the year, Canterbury was down 1204 units or 26 per cent, and Waikato was down 1143 or 30 per cent.
Wellington had the largest growth, up 172 units or 8.2 per cent.
Non-residential building consents were up 10 per cent for the year to $4.5b, with shops, restaurants and taverns down $234m, and education buildings up $198m. Farm buildings were up $129m and offices and administrations buildings up $111m.
- NZPA
