Housing consent numbers hit record low

The actual number of consents rose in December 2011 on the year earlier but remain at a low level, with December 2010 was the lowest December month in the 46-year history of the series.

"Most of the increase in housing approvals for December 2011 was concentrated in Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury, with many of the other regions showing small falls," said industry and labour statistics manager Louise Holmes-Oliver.

"However, in 2011, housing approvals were the lowest for a December year since this series began in 1965 - down 12% to 13,622."

ASB economist Jane Turner said the figures point to a weak construction outlook.