NZ housing consent levels unsustainable, bust signs ahead

NZ housing consent levels unsustainable, bust signs ahead
How many of the record number of new home building consents will actually be built? (Image: Supplied)
Cameron Bagrie
The 51,051 new home building consents recorded in the year to May set a new record, according to Statistics NZ figures released yesterday, up 17% from the year ended May 2021.But here’s the question: how many of those homes will actually be built?A high attrition rate in association combined with a sharp decline in building consents over the coming months may well be the sector's best chance of having a soft landing, as opposed to the historical play-book of boom to bust.The residential construction sector has just three gears: fifth,...

More Economy

How to Be Wrong: summer reading for the PM
Economy

How to Be Wrong: summer reading for the PM

Advice on leading for innovation, threats to democracy, gangs, and more.

Pattrick Smellie 28 Nov 2025
RBNZ officials not against more transparency, just cautious
Economy

RBNZ officials not against more transparency, just cautious

The key is that any changes add value, says Assistant Governor Karen Silk.

Rebecca Howard 28 Nov 2025
‘Looking up’: Recovery taking hold as business confidence hits 11-year high
Economy

‘Looking up’: Recovery taking hold as business confidence hits 11-year high

Business confidence jumped another nine points from 58 to 67 in November, the highest level in 11 years, the ANZ Business Outlook survey for November shows.“Things are looking up!” said ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner.“Out of a hole, admittedly,” she added.When interpreting qu...

Staff reporters 27 Nov 2025
Rodger Finlay new RBNZ chair, Rhiannon McKinnon to board
Economy

Rodger Finlay new RBNZ chair, Rhiannon McKinnon to board

Finlay is expected to deliver increased accountability and transparency.

Rebecca Howard 27 Nov 2025