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The number of new homes consented in New Zealand has risen 19% over the past year, marking the first annual increase in building consents since 2022, although activity remains below the record highs reached during the construction boom.
According to figures released by Stats NZ, there were 39,737 new homes consented in New Zealand in the year ended May 2026.
“The annual increase in new home consents followed declines in May for the last three years, and consent numbers remain below the record peak reached in 2022,” economic indicators spokesperson Michelle Feyen said.
There were 18,271 stand-alone houses consented in the year ended May 2026, up 17% compared with the previous year.
There were 21,466 multi-unit homes consented, up 20% over the same period.
Of the 21,466 multi-unit homes consented, 17,230 were townhouses, flats and units, up 22% on the previous year. Apartment consents rose 20% to 2,554, while retirement village units increased 3.4% to 1,682.
The largest increases were recorded in Auckland, where 16,862 new homes were consented, up 22%, followed by Canterbury with 8,468 (30%), Waikato with 3,122 (8.6%), Otago with 2,821 (7.8%), Wellington with 2,168 (17%), and the Bay of Plenty with 1,645 (14%).
