New Zealand’s building consents fell sharply in December 2025, with the indicator dropping to -4.6% month-over-month, according to data updated on 2 February 2026. This marks a notable turnaround from November 2025, when consents rose 2.7% compared with the prior month.
The latest figures suggest a cooling in construction activity at the end of 2025 after a brief uptick in November. On a month-over-month basis, the December result reflects weaker momentum in new building approvals relative to the preceding month, contrasting with the solid positive growth recorded in November. Investors and analysts will be watching upcoming releases closely to gauge whether December’s decline signals a temporary pullback or the start of a more prolonged softening in New Zealand’s construction sector.
