-- New Zealand's seasonally adjusted new dwellings consents fell 1.3% to 3,370 in March from 3,412 in the previous month, according to Stats NZ data on Friday.
In actual terms, 3,677 new dwellings were consented, including 1,729 stand-alone houses, 1,556 townhouses, flats, and units, 127 retirement village units, and 265 apartments.
New dwellings consented in the reported month rose 8.2% in actual terms compared with 3,398 in March 2025.
In the 12 months ended March, the actual number of new dwellings consented was up 11% to 37,813 compared with the prior corresponding period.
"New home consents increased in the year ended March, following decreases in each of the previous three years," economic indicators spokesperson Michelle Feyen said.
The regions with the highest increase in new home consents in the year ended March were Auckland, up 14%, Waikato, up 3.5%, and Wellington, up 3.8%.
The annual value of non-residential building work consented in March rose 1.2% year-on-year to NZ$9 billion.