Over $4 billion worth of building work was put in place in the June 2015 quarter, up nearly 8 percent on the June 2014 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today. This was the highest quarterly value recorded in the 50 years since the series began, and represents almost $900 worth of building work per person.

"The value of both residential and non-residential building work increased overall," business indicators manager Neil Kelly said. "In Auckland, residential work grew, while in Canterbury most of the growth was in non-residential work."

Non-residential building activity volume grows

After removing price changes and seasonal variations, the overall volume of building activity increased 1.6 percent, following a 1.8 percent increase in the March 2015 quarter. Within this, the volume of non-residential work increased 5.2 percent, while residential work fell 1.0 percent.

The volume trend for non-residential building activity reached a new high in the June 2015 quarter, exceeding levels last seen in the March 2006 quarter. Meanwhile, the residential building activity volume trend is still 8.0 percent lower than the June 2004 quarter peak.

The overall building activity volume trend grew to a level last seen 10 years ago in the June 2005 quarter, the previous series peak.