New Zealand's seasonally adjusted new dwellings consents fell 4% to 3,661 in May from 3,814 in the previous month, according to Stats NZ data on Thursday.
In actual terms, 3,801 new dwellings were consented, including 1,835 stand-alone houses, 1,718 townhouses, flats, and units, 194 retirement village units, and 54 apartments.
New dwellings consented in the reported month rose nearly 21% in actual terms compared with 3,151 in May 2025.
In the 12 months ended May, the actual number of new dwellings consented was up 19% to 39,737 compared with the prior corresponding period.
"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.