FX.co ★ New Zealand Building Permits Rise in August

New home consents in New Zealand increased by 5.6% month-on-month in August 2026, rebounding from a downwardly revised 4.5% decline in July. In total, 3,440 new homes were consented in August, comprising 1,704 stand-alone houses, 1,455 townhouses, flats, and units, 128 apartments, and 153 retirement village units.

For the year ended August 2026, 41,268 new homes were consented, a 21% increase compared with the year ended August 2025. Stand-alone houses made up 19,096 of these consents, also up 21% year-on-year. Multi-unit homes likewise rose 21% to 22,172. Within this category, townhouses, flats, and units increased 25% to 18,085, while apartments declined 4.0% to 2,381. Retirement village units climbed 27% to 1,706.

Over the same 12‑month period, New Zealand recorded 7.7 new home consents per 1,000 residents.