Stand-alone homes are driving the first annual rise in new home consents in two years, according to new Stats NZ data.

In the year ended June 2025, 33,979 new homes were consented across New Zealand, up 1.0 percent from the year before.

The growth was largely thanks to a 6.3 percent rise in stand-alone house consents, which hit 15,858 nationwide.

By contrast, consents for multi-unit homes like townhouses and apartments dipped 3.2 percent to 18,121.

Within that, townhouses fell 5.3 percent, while apartments bucked the trend with a 12 percent rise.

Auckland’s figures helped tip the scales.

The region saw a 3.2 percent annual increase, with 14,295 new homes consented.

It’s the first time since early 2023 that Auckland has recorded growth.

Coasties may not be surprised.

With strong demand for family homes, a move back toward traditional stand-alone builds could mean more developments suited to the local lifestyle and land availability.

Regionally, Otago stood out with a 48 percent jump, the fastest growth in the country.

While the June 2025 quarter saw a slight dip compared to last year (8,196 homes consented, down from 8,279), stand-alone homes continued to edge up.

In seasonally adjusted terms, stand-alone consents rose 1.8 percent over the quarter.

It’s a small but steady sign of recovery in the housing sector.

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