Apartments lead rise in housing consents

Statistics New Zealand figures revealed consents were issued for 1,098 new houses (including apartments), up 27%.

Consents were issued for 900 new homes (excluding apartments), up 16% and 198 new apartments (including 174 retirement units), up from 90.

"There was a large increase in approvals for apartments in January 2012," said business statistics manager Blair Cardno.

"In fact, it was the highest monthly number of apartment units consented in just over a year. Most were for retirement units in Canterbury, some of which had been delayed because of earthquakes."