New Zealand’s housing market is showing signs of recovery, with 37,534 new homes consented in the year ended February 2026—a 12% increase on the previous year—according to Stats NZ figures released today.
“The annual number of new home consents has increased for seven consecutive months,” economic indicators spokesperson Michelle Feyen said.
In the year ended February 2026, the regions with the highest number of new home consents, compared with the year ended February 2025, were Auckland with 15,972 new consents, up 16%, while Waikato added 2,992 (up 4.9%) and Wellington 2,138 (up 18%). The rest of the North Island saw a slight dip, with 4,613 consents (down 3.9%).
Canterbury led with 7,721 consents (up 16%), and the remainder of South Island added 4,097 (up 10%), showing that where developers are allowed to operate freely, housing supply grows strongly.
In February 2026, a total of 3,168 new dwellings were consented across Aotearoa New Zealand, including 1,532 stand-alone houses, 1,305 townhouses, flats, and units, 190 retirement village units, and 141 apartments.