Glass maker Metro GlassTech is the latest heavily indebted overseas private equity owned business to get into strife with its bankers, says one report.

The number of new homes approved in April has fallen 32pc from a year earlier, but the rate of decline is easing, says Statistics NZ.

The building industry is in crisis.

National architecture awards have been handed to projects including an Onehunga helicopter base, a group of Waiheke houses, and a Queenstown bus shelter and toilet.

City officials say they are confident the Christchurch Town Hall can be saved.

The residential rebuild in Christchurch could require up to 12,500 full time workers and reveal a number of skills shortages in occupations such as concreting and carpentry, Prime Minister John Key says.

Construction continues on the Auckland Art Gallery extension and renovation project in the Central City.

Last month 973 consents were issued for new dwelling units, down 29 per cent from February 2010.