A two-month growth in new dwelling consents in Northland is a statistical blip rather than a sign the region's construction sector is on the rise again, a building industry leader says.
Figures released by Statistics NZ show nationally 1559 new dwellings were approved in March, but most of the rise was down to Auckland and Christchurch activity.
In Northland, 66 new consents were issued in March, which followed 79 in February. The February consents were for dwellings worth a total of $17 million while the March consents were worth $19 million.
But Northland/Auckland Master Builders' Association president Darrell Trigg said the two months' figures were a blip rather than a sign the industry was on the upturn. "The February figures related to the introduction of new licensed builders legislation [introduced from March 1] and people getting their applications in before that deadline.".
There are signs of some activity in the building market in Northland, he said, with a "bit of a pick-up" but no large-scale increase. As well, some positive signs of growth in Ruakaka looked like providing work.
"With the [plans for a new city at Ruakaka] consented, the refinery approving its [$365 million] expansion, and [America's Cup holders] Oracle basing themselves at Northport, there could be a lot of work coming out of those," Mr Trigg said.