New Dwelling Numbers Maintain High Level
Consents were issued for 2,621 new dwelling units in July 2003, according to Statistics New Zealand. For the last three
months ending July 2003, the average number of new dwelling units was 2,500 units. This compares with average numbers of
2,200 units for the three months ending April 2003 and 2,300 units for the three months ending January 2003.
Consents were issued for 2,348 dwelling units excluding apartment units for July 2003.
This is the highest monthly number of new dwelling units recorded, excluding apartment units, since the series began in
January 1990. In July 2003, dwelling units, excluding apartments, contributed 90 percent of the total number of new
dwelling units, compared with 75 percent in July 2002.
Most regions recorded more new dwelling units in July 2003 compared with July 2002. Waikato (up 91 units) recorded the
largest increase in new dwelling units when comparing the two July months, followed by Canterbury (up 43 units) and
Otago (up 32 units). Over the same period, Auckland (down 290 units) recorded the largest decrease in new dwelling
units, followed by Wellington (down 79 units). However, the Auckland region continued to be the main contributor to the
total number of new dwelling units with 1,001 or 38 percent.
The total value of non-residential building consents issued in July 2003 was $310 million. This follows totals of $251
million in June 2003 and $199 million in May 2003. Consents issued for offices and administration buildings were worth
$56 million, 18 percent of the total non-residential buildings value in July 2003, followed by education buildings with
$49 million or 16 percent.
Consents for hospitals and nursing homes, and factories and industrial buildings each contributed $42 million or 14
percent.
The total value of consents issued for all buildings in July 2003 was $875 million. This is the largest monthly all
buildings total since the series began in April 1990. Residential buildings contributed 65 percent of the total value
for all buildings in July 2003, compared with 63 percent for July 2002. For the year ended July 2003, the total value of
consents for all buildings was $8,399 million, up $1,054 million or 14 percent when compared with the year ended July
2002.
Ian Ewing
Acting Government Statistician