ASB senior economist Jane Turner said residential building consents lifted "very strongly" in January, nationwide consents for the 12 months to January reaching a 44-year high of 33,576 new homes.
"The strong lift in January was led by a surge in Auckland dwelling consents.
"A large number of apartments and retirement units added to strong underlying strength for standalone housing demand," she said.
Stats NZ construction statistics manager Melissa McKenzie said the number of new homes granted consent this year was the most since the mid-1970s, but she noted the population was about 3 million then, compared with nearly 5 million now.
Across the North Island consents for January rose from 1402 a year ago to 1977, while in the South Island the numbers were flat, rising from 514 to 519 for the month.
Otago had a decline, from 144 to 122 for January, as did Southland, falling from 20 a year ago to 15.
The January value of Otago consents fell from $66million a year ago to $57million, and in Southland declined from $7million to $4million.
Nationally, the value of consents rose from $769million to $1.01billion, while the South Island overall it declined from $201million to $195million.
