The national residential building sector is at its strongest level this decade, with a record 28,387 new consents granted worth $11.4 billion.
Statistics NZ has released new data showing a big upturn in the sector for work planned.
The latest figures are for the May year and are national. They show a major increase on the 13,917 consents issued in the May 2011 year, rising to 15,132 by 2012, 18,521 by 2013, 22,853 by 2014 and 25,114 by 2015.
The value of all residential buildings based on those consents is $11.4 billion in the May 2016 year, well up on last year's $9.7 billion and 2014's $8.6 billion.
Consents have been granted in the latest year for 20,467 houses, 2095 apartments, 2076 retirement villages, 3749 townhouses and flats and units.