Boost for New Dwellings

Estimate of New Dwelling Units: May 2000  –  Media Release

The estimated number of new dwelling units authorised for construction in May 2000 was 2,055, the second month this year to record a total above 2,000. Excluding March 2000, which recorded 2,062 new dwellings, this follows four months where the total number of new dwellings authorised was below 2,000. In all but three months throughout 1999, monthly totals were consistently above 2,000, with a peak in September of 2,633.

The underlying trend for the number of new dwelling units authorised has been declining for 10 months following a period of growth that lasted 11 months. The decline in the trend appears to be easing off in recent months.

Taupo, with 63 new dwellings authorised, recorded the highest total for that region since the recording of territorial authority data began in April 1990. New Plymouth had the highest total since September 1997 with 23 units, and a number of other regions also recorded higher totals than in recent months. These included Christchurch with 148, Waitakere with 179, Tauranga with 115 and Rodney with 80 new dwellings authorised.

Ian Ewing
Deputy Government Statistician