Estimate of New Dwelling Units: February 2000
Consents for New Houses Continue to Decline
Statistics New Zealand estimates there were 1,607 new dwelling units authorised for construction in February 2000. This
is the lowest February total since 1993.
In January there were 1,527 consents issued for new dwellings, the lowest total since October 1998. This was partly
attributed to the closure of council offices over the Christmas and New Year period. The latest figure suggests that the
decline in consents issued may be more long term, with uncertainty over rising interest rates and a general downturn in
the real estate market being likely contributing factors.
The main contributor to the decline was Waitakere City which recorded 110 authorisations for new dwellings. This
represents a fall of 92 when compared to the previous month and 117 when compared with February 1999.
The underlying trend for the number of new dwellings authorised fell by 5.2 per cent in February 2000, the seventh
consecutive monthly fall. Prior to this, the underlying trend had risen for 11 months.
Ian Ewing
DEPUTY GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN
ENDS