New home consents fall 7.2 percent under National Government.
The number of building consents issued in New Zealand has declined for the year ended January 2025, according to Statistics New Zealand figures released this week. The latest data shows a 7.2 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2024, with only 33,812 new homes consented.
Labour Party spokespersons Barbara Edmonds and Kieran McAnulty attribute the slowdown in consents to the National Government's economic mismanagement. They point out that the cancellation of infrastructure projects has resulted in rising unemployment and homelessness, while also contributing to a recession.
McAnulty also criticizes National's $2.9 billion landlord tax cuts, stating that they have shifted investment away from new builds and towards existing homes. This, he says, has led to fewer houses being built and increased house prices.
The Labour Party advocates for investing in public services, infrastructure, and new homes, rather than cutting funding for essential services like schools, hospitals, and public housing. The party believes that building more public houses is crucial to addressing New Zealand's housing shortage and promoting economic growth by getting more Kiwis into work.