Wairarapa builders hold firm

Residential building consents are an all-time low, but Wairarapa companies haven't taken a hit.
The number of building consents in the region has dropped 28 per cent since April 2010, to reach the lowest level on record, according to Statistics New Zealand.
Managing director of Holmes Construction in Greytown, Andy Holmes, said he has definitely noticed a drop in the number of residential building consents in Wairarapa.
"We're doing more commercial work," said Mr Holmes.
He said the company has many commercial contracts they are working on, including the Carterton Events Centre.
Holmes Construction employs around 80 staff, including the joinery section of the business.
"We're always looking [for work] because we've got a big mouth to feed," said Mr Holmes.
He said the private sector is not spending and it is probably because of the recession.
On average, Masterton District Council approved 5.8 residential building consents a month in the past year, the highest of any Wairarapa council.
In September 2010 alone the council approved 14 consents.
Carterton District Council approved an average of 4.76 consents a month, and South Wairarapa District Council 4.61.
Highmark Homes Wairarapa sales director Jenine Weber said she has not noticed any changes.
"We've found this year to be quite similar to the past three years," she said.
The Masterton-based company, which employs six staff and only does residential work, started four years ago so have only ever operated during the recession.
"We've been very consistent and steady," she said.
Wellington regional manager of Keith Hay Homes in Carterton, David Stevenson, said the number of new residential buildings are starting to pick up.
"We've had more enquiries since Christmas than before," he said.
Mr Stevenson, the sole Wairarapa employee of the franchise, said he has a couple of residential projects in the pipeline.
The business deals with mainly residential and rural buildings, but also does work on educational and commercial buildings.
Registered Master Builders Federation chief executive officer Warwick Quinn said the construction sector is well into its third year of recession.
"We hope the latest March figures are an indication the industry is stabilising," he said.