The value of consents issued for new houses in Tauranga has again surged to levels not seen since the global credit crunch sent the building industry into recession five years ago.
It was part of a confidence-boosting big picture in which consents issued for all buildings last month hit nearly $40 million - led by the huge $9 million consent for the Tui Products building near Baypark Stadium.
Houses comprised $24.2 million of the business, only $3 million below October 2007, when the market was buoyant. Consents for new houses peaked at a post-recession high of $30 million in July this year, followed by $26 million in August.
The latest figures for October showed that although the 84 consents were 21 fewer than a year ago, the houses being built were more expensive. Last October's consents were worth $2.5 million less.
The other sign confidence had returned to the market was the 207 consents received by the council in October - up 14 per cent on a year earlier and including 95 for new houses.