Building Slowdown or Turning Point? What April’s Consent Numbers Mean for NZ’s Property Market

Property Apprentice Podcast

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In this bonus episode of the Property Apprentice Podcast, host and financial adviser Debbie Roberts breaks down the latest Stats NZ and Westpac building consent data and what it means for property investors, homeowners, and developers across New Zealand.
While April 2025 saw a 17% drop in new dwelling consents, there's more beneath the surface. We unpack:
Why the fall in multi-unit consents isn’t a cause for panic
The resilience of stand-alone houses, with consents rising 2.4% over the past year
What economists are saying about the stabilisation of the construction sector
How lower mortgage rates, rising house prices, and OCR cuts could trigger a recovery
Commercial construction trends: why businesses remain cautious in 2025
Despite short-term volatility, the numbers reveal that New Zealand’s residential building sector may have found a floor—and recovery could be on the horizon.
Whether you're planning to build, buy, or invest, now might be the ideal time to act before momentum shifts.
Tune in for expert insights on how to read the signs and prepare for the next upswing in property development.
If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in the property market.
Ready to take the next step? Join our free “How to Succeed with Property Investing” event at propertyapprentice.co.nz or book a meeting with Paul Roberts for tailored advice.
Sources:
https://www.westpaciq.com.au/economics/2025/05/first-impressions-nz-building-consents-april-2025?ai=1748561589863&cd=76673&cid=edm
https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/home-consents-down-in-the-month-of-april-2025/
https://www.mpamag.com/nz/news/general/new-zealand-home-building-consents-down-in-april-but-long-term-trend-stabilises/537692?hsmemberId=47647101&tu=&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=20250602&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--YrJXReTc3eQOqMAy7EO9Ko9vdd_4dgJZJ3CPUMsmL0-PMA5ofqHXx4mqYe5LmHjGzaTPjwYz1935lqz-vySTA8uyA1tvzAMaG1lJQVSbmahcNmGM&_hsmi=364501099&utm_content=&utm_source=

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*Nothing from this episode should be taken as individual financial advice.
*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.