Auckland is often seen as a cautionary tale in New Zealand’s housing story — but the latest numbers show a welcome increase in new home completions following a surge in consents.
New research from Auckland Council’s Chief Economist Unit reveals visible gains in homes being built since the city’s planning rulebook – the Auckland Unitary Plan - took effect in late 2016 with almost 100,000 new homes completed in seven years.
More Homes Are Being Completed
Auckland Council’s Chief Economist Gary Blick says this shift hasn’t happened by chance with home completions up significantly.
“The number of homes constructed has climbed from 10,200 in 2018 to a record 18,100 in 2023, with 17,200 more in 2024. As of December 2024, there were still 20,200 new homes in Auckland’s housing pipeline - 13,800 under construction and 6,400 consented but not yet started.
“This is a substantial increase from pre-Unitary Plan levels, highlighting how more flexible planning rules have made a real difference in delivering more homes.
“The Unitary Plan significantly boosted housing capacity, by allowing for more intensive use of existing urban land. That’s enabled more new homes to be built than otherwise and provided more housing choice in many of the locations where people want to live.
“We’ve seen a shift towards multi-unit housing, such as terrace housing and apartments. This reflects people’s preferences, given their budget constraints, to use less land per house in exchange for locations closer to things they need, whether that’s jobs, transport, shops, schools, or other amenities,” he says.
School children walk past new apartments and Te Ara Awataha Greenway Bridge in a safe, green, and connected neighbourhood in Northcote
More Than Paper Plans
These aren’t just numbers on paper. In Auckland’s case, there’s clear evidence that consents lead to construction, and most projects make it through.
“The vast majority of homes consented end up being built, with the data showing more than 90 per cent become new homes and most begin construction within six months of consent,” says Blick.
“While not every demolition is tracked, research shows that for every nine new homes built, one will replace a demolished home while the remaining homes are entirely new, expanding Auckland’s housing supply.
“This means around 89 per cent of new homes are net additions to Auckland’s housing stock. This occurs where single homes are replaced with terrace housing or apartments leading to more homes on the same piece of land.
Code Compliance Certificates issued, 2018-2024
Source: Auckland Council, Chief Economist Unit
Record Numbers of Completions
Between 2018 and 2022, Auckland consistently saw high building consent activity, peaking at a record 21,000 consents in 2022.
That surge was driven by strong demand — particularly following the interest rate cut in March 2020 — and a housing supply that was better able to respond. While consents have since eased to 14,000 in 2024, that remains higher than pre-Unitary Plan levels.
As a result, the housing pipeline expanded, peaking in December 2022 with 22,500 new homes under construction and a further 9,800 consented but not yet started. In response, Auckland Council scaled up both its consenting and site inspection functions.
But the housing pipeline is still sensitive to broader economic shifts. Higher interest rates have all contributed to fewer new projects starting construction since late 2022.
More Homes Where It Makes Sense
Looking ahead, Blick says the focus should remain on enabling abundant housing capacity in accessible places — including those close to town centres and transport options — within easy reach of people’s daily needs, because that’s what will support improvements in both housing affordability and Auckland’s productivity.
“That could mean making it easier for people to live and work near major transport infrastructure - like the City Rail Link — giving them faster commutes, better access to jobs and education, and easing pressure on our roads.
“While some people want to live further out, many more are choosing to be closer to jobs, transport, shops and other services. It’s their preferences driving the demand for more homes closer to those things — and the Unitary Plan is enabling more of that demand to be met.”
More homes like apartments near public transport give Aucklanders better access to jobs, schools, and everyday essentials.
What It Means for Aucklanders
Auckland’s housing story isn’t perfect, but it is a tale of improvement. Aucklanders have indicated they want more housing near local centres where they can easily access jobs, shops, schools, and social activities.
Recent evidence shows real progress is being made with more homes being consented, built, and lived in with a focus on housing where it makes more sense.
Key Findings:
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As of December 2024, there were 20,200 homes in the pipeline — 13,800 under construction and 6,400 consented but not yet started construction.
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Around 90% of consented homes are completed, and most begin construction within six months.
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Completed new homes increased from 10,200 in 2018 to 18,100 in 2023 and 17,200 in 2024 — the highest levels on record.
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Most of those new homes — an estimated 89% — are a net gain to Auckland’s housing stock, after accounting for demolished homes to allow more productive use of a site.
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Auckland Council, as the Building Consent Authority, has had to step up, issuing record numbers of consents and conducting inspections at a larger number of sites.
