Building consent stats released this morning show a 3.1 per cent jump in the number of new homes authorised for construction in November - the highest level since May 2008.

The Government is moving on with its plans to help leaky home owners and says it is up to councils whether they participate or not.

Building consents were up 11 per cent in October.

New Zealanders are still optimistic about the state of the housing market, according to an ASB survey.

Rich Lister Gary Lane wants more than $10 million for a piece of land once donated to the people of Auckland - and estate agents say someone will cough up the cash.

Early signs of an economic recovery might not be as strong as many people hope, says Treasury.

New building consent figures point to signs of recovery in house building but show the non-residential sector sinking further into a slump.

August recorded the most new housing consents in nearly a year, says Statistics New Zealand.

Councils are staring at an estimated $6 billion legal bill to fix the country's leaky homes - with the crushing debt falling on ratepayers.

NZ's recovery from recession will be fuelled by a housing construction boom, with Auckland leading the way, Brendan O'Donovan said yesterday.

The bill for leaky homes is likely to top $11 billion, a review has found.