The number of building consents for new dwellings last year was at its highest level in 11 years, driven by Auckland and nearby regions.
Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Statistics New Zealand said than 27,000 consents for new dwellings were issued last year, up nearly 10 percent on the previous year and the highest since 2004.
The number of consents issued in the month of December rose a seasonally adjusted 2.3 percent, the third consecutive monthly rise.
Stripping out the consents for town houses, apartments and retirement villages - which can be volatile - the number of consents was at its highest level in seven years.
ANZ Bank economist Philip Borkin said the data pointed to construction being another strong contributor to the economy this year.