Building statistics show big drop

Press, 14 November 1977, Page 7

Building statistics show big drop

PA Wellington The number of new dwellings started in the six months from April 1 has fallen 23, per cent compared with the same period last year according to figures released by the Government Statistician (Mr E. A. Harris). Starts made on buildings m; the six months this year were 10,900 compared with 14,200 last year. In the same six months the number of completions was 12,600, a 12 per cent fall on last year’s 14,300. The Government target for completed homes in the full year ending March, 1978, is 26.000 to 28,000. The number of house permits issued in September fell 24 per cent on last year, with a 16 per cent fall in value.

Flats permits fell 43 per cent in number and 35 per cent in value.

In the non-dwelling secto permits were 59 per cen' higher in value this September compared with last year, almost entirely because of the amount of hospital building approved—S26.4M compared with SIM last year. In every other category except farm buildings and boarding-houses, the national totals this September were below those of last year. The biggest declines were in offices (down 61 per cent), shops and taverns (down 21 per cent) and education bulidper cent) and education build-

Factories declined only 3 per cent and warehouses 13