According to Simon Crawford, Northland Chairman for the Registered Master Builders, the build value was being driven up demand.
"In my own company, Bella Homes, 60 to 70 per cent of my customers are from Auckland. The existing housing stock is either too expensive or not what they want. They want better houses and have the money to spend on them."
While the value of consents had increased due to interest from cashed-up, higher-end buyers, build costs were also soaring.
"Six months ago a house might have cost $250,000 to build but that house now costs $275,000. This is due to higher material costs. Companies are also struggling to get and retain staff and really, some construction workers are dictating labour costs and terms. Saying that, all of that money is coming straight back into the local economy."
Most the consents were sought in Whangarei in November (70), compared with 36 in the Far North and 27 in Kaipara.
Whangarei/Kaipara GJ Gardner Homes boss Peter Butler said he had noticed an increase in spending on homes in 2016 which hadn't existed the year before.
"People are wanting larger homes and larger living areas and people are no longer settling for the bare minimum. They are spending more on the little things," he said.
"Many clients are older and retiring and have extra money, having sold up in Auckland. They might have owned a number of properties in their lifetime and just know what they want."
He said GJ Gardner had seen 836 per cent growth in Whangarei/Kaipara in four years, going from 10 homes a year to 80.
Richard Hilton-Jones, who builds award-winning, multi-million dollar mansions on the east coast of Northland, said he is noticing a new confidence in his clients, with many from Auckland.
"They feel more confidence in the economy and are willing to spend more on their homes because of that."
He said he only works on up to three projects at a time and had no plans to increase his business.
"These people are building their dream home ... wanting nicer homes."
Renee Gilmore from Barratt Homes said the Tauranga company opened a Whangarei branch last May due to the high demand for new builds.
"The market was thriving here and it became too hard to project manage from Tauranga," she said.
"Most of our properties sell off the plan and have a 20-week build time once the floor is poured. Our buyers are first-time buyers, Auckland investors and retired people moving to the area."
She said Barratt Homes had only one unsold house left at its Waikaraka project, and it was also working on sections at Totara Parklands Estate in Kamo, where sections had increased from $150,000 during the first stages to $240,000 at stage 3 release.