Latest building consent numbers further confirm the cooling of the housing market, with an easing in the number of non-apartment dwelling consents. The December 2007 month saw a 13.9% fall in the number of non-apartment dwelling consents compared to December 2006.

Overall, the total number of dwelling consents issued in 2007 dropped to around 25,500, being 7.7% down on the previous year. This year’s total comprised 23,000 non-apartment dwellings and 2,400 apartment consents.


Non-residential building activity continued to grow. The total value of consents in the non-residential buildings category increased 6.3% in the year to December, while the area (square metres) relating to these consents rose 13.4%. Within this category, consents for farm buildings were up 36.2% in value terms in the year to December 2007; social, cultural, religious buildings were up 17.8%; and offices, administration buildings were up 16.1%. However, the hotels and other short-term accommodation experienced a 21.5% decline.