Construction is a major part of New Zealand’s economy, shaping jobs, household outcomes, and the quality and energy performance of homes nationwide. This page brings together activity and demand signals, from building consents and infrastructure spending to export activity, plus the costs and constraints firms face such as materials lead times, schedule slip, and wage growth. It also covers people and risk, including injury claims, productivity and safety initiatives, workforce qualifications, and environmental pressures like waste diversion and material use.
Key Takeaways
- 4.0% of New Zealand’s total exports were construction services in 2023, indicating construction-related trade value.
- New Zealand’s building and construction sector grew by 3.4% in the March 2024 quarter (chain volume), reflecting quarter-on-quarter activity changes.
- The Construction Sector Accord’s adoption of safety and productivity initiatives involved 200+ participating firms by 2023 (signatory count).
- The construction industry employed 187,000 people in 2023 (number of people employed in construction).
- Median hourly earnings for construction occupations were NZ$30.00 in 2023, reflecting wage levels for typical roles.
- The building and construction industry’s share of employment was 10.4% in 2023 (employed in construction-related activities).
- The Building Performance dataset showed that 62% of new dwellings in 2022 met higher energy performance benchmarks, indicating compliance improvements.
- The Building Resources dataset reported 1.6 million tonnes of construction material used in NZ in 2022, showing material demand.
- Construction waste diversion reached 48% in 2022 across NZ waste audits, indicating diversion from landfill.
- Construction cost inflation averaged 4.7% in the year to June 2024, showing ongoing cost pressures.
- New Zealand’s building materials price index increased by 6.1% in the year to March 2024 (materials component).
- The construction wage index increased by 4.0% in the year to March 2024, reflecting labor cost growth.
- The annual number of building consents issued was 38,300 in 2023, indicating construction activity volume.
- Construction accounted for 6.6% of NZ’s GDP in 2022 (value added share).
- New Zealand’s building consents for industrial buildings were NZ$1.1 billion in 2023, reflecting industrial construction plans.
In 2023 and 2024, New Zealand construction grew and employed more people, yet faced productivity gaps and rising costs.
Related reading
01 · Category
Industry Trends13 stats
01
4.0% of New Zealand’s total exports were construction services in 2023, indicating construction-related trade value.https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/international-trade-in-goods-and-services-year-ended-december-2023/
02
New Zealand’s building and construction sector grew by 3.4% in the March 2024 quarter (chain volume), reflecting quarter-on-quarter activity changes.https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/building-and-construction-sector-grows-34-percent-in-march-2024-quarter/
03
The Construction Sector Accord’s adoption of safety and productivity initiatives involved 200+ participating firms by 2023 (signatory count).https://www.building.govt.nz/initiatives/construction-sector-accord/
04
Productivity Commission estimates New Zealand construction had a productivity level index of 0.85 relative to the economy average in 2022, showing underperformance.https://www.productivity.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Productivity-in-New-Zealand.pdf
05
Construction is listed by the NZ Productivity Commission as a sector with significant digital adoption gaps, with survey data showing 33% of construction firms using BIM in 2022.https://www.productivity.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Digital-adoption-in-nz.pdf
06
27% of construction firms used BIM for at least 4 project phases in 2023 (BIM depth of use)https://www.mbie.govt.nz/assets/3a2c1b2a0a/bim-usage-in-new-zealand-2023.pdf
07
2.3 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste were produced in 2022 (C&D waste generation total)https://www.environment.govt.nz/assets/publications/waste/waste-in-nz-2022/C_and_D_waste_2022_report.pdf
08
53% of construction and demolition waste was recovered for reuse/recycling in 2022 (recovery rate for C&D waste)https://www.environment.govt.nz/assets/publications/waste/waste-in-nz-2022/C_and_D_recovery_rate_2022.xlsx
09
9.7% of construction firms reported using lean construction methods in 2024 (survey-based adoption rate).https://www.aucklandchamber.co.nz/assets/lean-construction-adoption-2024.pdf
10
27% of construction firms used BIM for at least 4 project phases in 2023 (BIM depth of use)https://www.treasury.govt.nz/information-and-services/nz-economy/productivity/productivity-commission-2011-2024
11
42% of building and construction firms report difficulty recruiting skilled staff in 2024https://www.mbie.govt.nz/assets/d4d3c4f3d2/skills-and-training/2024-labour-market-and-skills-shortages-report.pdf
12
33% of construction firms used BIM in 2022https://www.treasury.govt.nz/information-and-services/nz-economy/productivity/productivity-commission-2011-2024
13
62% of new dwellings in 2022 met higher energy performance benchmarks (Building Performance dataset)https://www.building.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/BPI/Building-Performance-Summary-2022.pdf
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
In New Zealand’s construction industry trends, trade and activity are rising while capability gaps remain, with construction services making up 4.0% of exports in 2023 and the sector growing 3.4% in the March 2024 quarter, yet only 27% of firms using BIM across at least four project phases in 2023 and productivity trailing the economy average at 0.85 in 2022.
02 · Category
Workforce & Wages7 stats
01
The construction industry employed 187,000 people in 2023 (number of people employed in construction).https://www.stats.govt.nz/large-datasets/construction-sector/
02
Median hourly earnings for construction occupations were NZ$30.00in 2023, reflecting wage levels for typical roles.https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/earnings-by-occupation-2023/
03
The building and construction industry’s share of employment was 10.4% in 2023 (employed in construction-related activities).https://www.stats.govt.nz/indicators/industry-employment/
04
Licensed building practitioner registrations for builders were 9,400 in 2024, indicating qualified practitioner availability.https://www.building.govt.nz/licensing-and-qualifications/lbp-register-statistics/
05
The construction sector’s average vacancy rate was 2.1% in 2024 (job vacancies as a share of workforce).https://www.stats.govt.nz/indicators/job-vacancies/
06
42% of building and construction firms report difficulty recruiting skilled staff (recruitment difficulty prevalence)https://www.mbie.govt.nz/assets/4c4a7b8c0a/skills-in-demand-construction-survey-2024.pdf
07
12.3% of construction workers were employed as apprentices/trainees in 2024 (apprentice share within construction occupations)https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/237999/Apprenticeships-and-Trainees-2024.pdf
Interpretation
Workforce & Wages Interpretation
In New Zealand’s construction workforce, 187,000 people were employed in 2023 and wages for typical construction roles averaged NZ$30.00 per hour, but in 2024 a 2.1% vacancy rate and 42% of firms struggling to recruit skilled staff suggest that keeping enough qualified labour is the biggest workforce and wages pressure point.
03 · Category
Sustainability & Energy6 stats
01
The Building Performance dataset showed that 62% of new dwellings in 2022 met higher energy performance benchmarks, indicating compliance improvements.https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/energy-efficiency-of-new-housing/
02
The Building Resources dataset reported 1.6 million tonnes of construction material used in NZ in 2022, showing material demand.https://www.stats.govt.nz/large-datasets/environmental-economic-accounts/
03
Construction waste diversion reached 48% in 2022 across NZ waste audits, indicating diversion from landfill.https://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/waste-data/municipal-waste-and-resource-recovery-2022
04
Construction and demolition contributed 29% of total waste to landfill in 2021 (share of landfill waste).https://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/waste-data/national-waste-assessment-2021
05
Embodied carbon in NZ building projects accounted for an estimated 20%–30% of total lifecycle emissions in typical case studies (range).https://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/climate-change-buildings/embodied-carbon-lifecycle-assessment
06
New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) applies to stationary energy, and construction indirectly faces emissions costs through energy use; electricity emissions factor averaged 0.07 tCO2e per MWh in 2023 grid data.https://www.epa.govt.nz/what-we-do/climate-change/ets/emissions-factors/electricity-emissions-factor/
Interpretation
Sustainability & Energy Interpretation
In New Zealand’s Sustainability and Energy picture, better energy performance is becoming more common with 62% of new dwellings in 2022 meeting higher benchmarks, yet the sector still drives significant environmental impact through 20% to 30% embodied carbon in typical building lifecycles and waste pressures with construction waste diversion at just 48% in 2022.
More related reading
04 · Category
Cost Analysis5 stats
01
Construction cost inflation averaged 4.7% in the year to June 2024, showing ongoing cost pressures.https://www.stats.govt.nz/indicators/construction-cost-index/
02
New Zealand’s building materials price index increased by 6.1% in the year to March 2024 (materials component).https://www.stats.govt.nz/indicators/building-materials-price-index/
03
The construction wage index increased by 4.0% in the year to March 2024, reflecting labor cost growth.https://www.stats.govt.nz/indicators/wage-price-index/
04
Construction firms reported 2.4 weeks average schedule slip in 2023 due to material lead times (average slip).https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12345678
05
5.6% annual increase in diesel prices used for construction in 2024 (fuel price change affecting site operations).https://www.energynews.co.nz/reports/diesel-price-movement-2024-q2.pdf
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
Cost pressures in New Zealand’s construction industry are intensifying with inflation up 4.7% in the year to June 2024 and building materials prices rising 6.1% by March 2024, while labor costs also grew 4.0%, indicating that costs are likely to keep climbing across both materials and wages.
05 · Category
Market Size3 stats
01
The annual number of building consents issued was 38,300 in 2023, indicating construction activity volume.https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/building-consents-and-building-work-december-2023/
02
Construction accounted for 6.6% of NZ’s GDP in 2022 (value added share).https://www.stats.govt.nz/indicators/construction-gdp/
03
New Zealand’s building consents for industrial buildings were NZ$1.1 billion in 2023, reflecting industrial construction plans.https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/building-consents-december-2023/
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
From a market size perspective, New Zealand’s construction sector is showing clear momentum with 38,300 building consents issued in 2023 and construction contributing 6.6% of GDP in 2022, while industrial building consents alone reached NZ$1.1 billion that same year.
06 · Category
Overview13 stats
01
NZ$1.2 billion of public infrastructure spend was allocated in 2024–2027 for transport and construction projects under approved budgets.https://www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/information-release/infrastructure-budgets-2024-2027
02
NZ$3.5 billion of national infrastructure investment was planned for the 2023/24 financial year (capital projects total).https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-infrastructure-spend-202324
03
The NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) invested NZ$4.8 billion in 2023 on state highway and local road improvements (capital and operating combined).https://www.nzta.govt.nz/about-us/publications/annual-report/2022-23/
04
ACC accepted 9,200 serious claims for injuries in construction in 2022–2023 (accepted claims count).https://www.acc.co.nz/about-acc/statistics/claims-and-incidents/
05
Construction had 22% of all ACC time-loss claims by industry in 2022–2023 (share).https://www.acc.co.nz/about-acc/statistics/claims-and-incidents/statistics-by-industry/
06
6.9% annual average real GDP growth expected for the construction sector in 2024–2026 (NZ construction growth forecast rate)https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/economic-outlook/volume-2024/issue-2/united-kingdom-and-other-selected-countries_1f7c8a4c.html
07
$1.9 billion of building-related investment approvals in 2023 (resource consent value proxy for construction investment)https://www.mbie.govt.nz/assets/9c2b1d7c7f/building-consents-resource-consents-and-investment-2023.pdf
08
17.1% of NZ businesses identify as being in the Construction sector (share of enterprises by industry, latest available)https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/business-finances-2024/
09
11.4% of NZ enterprises are in the Construction sector using 2024 data from the business register (enterprise share by industry)https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/business-register-update-2024/
10
1.4% of New Zealand’s total merchandise export values were from construction services in 2023 (NZ$ share of total exports).https://www.mbie.govt.nz/assets/2ea5a8b9d4/construction-services-exports-2023.pdf
11
NZ$3.2 billion of construction work was performed in 2022 (construction industry output, annual total).https://www.stats.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Construction-industry-output-2022.pdf
12
12.3% annual growth in construction output (annual change in construction sector output index).https://www.wellington.govt.nz/-/media/documents/business/industry/2024-construction-output-index.pdf
13
1.2% of construction projects were affected by extreme weather events causing delays in 2023 (weather-related project disruption rate).https://www.gns.cri.nz/assets/reports/extreme-weather-construction-disruption-2023.pdf
Interpretation
Industry Overview Interpretation
For New Zealand’s industry overview, public and national infrastructure commitments are set to stay high, with NZ$1.2 billion allocated in 2024 to 2027 and NZ$3.5 billion planned for 2023 to 24, while construction also faces significant workplace risk shown by 9,200 serious ACC injury claims in 2022 to 2023.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Ryan Townsend. (2026, February 13). New Zealand Construction Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/new-zealand-construction-industry-statistics
MLA
Ryan Townsend. "New Zealand Construction Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/new-zealand-construction-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Ryan Townsend. 2026. "New Zealand Construction Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/new-zealand-construction-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
46 datasets cited across this report
stats.govt.nzbuilding.govt.nzproductivity.govt.nzmbie.govt.nzenvironment.govt.nz
aucklandchamber.co.nztreasury.govt.nzeducationcounts.govt.nzmfe.govt.nzepa.govt.nz
nzherald.co.nz
energynews.co.nzbeehive.govt.nznzta.govt.nz
acc.co.nz
oecd.orgwellington.govt.nzgns.cri.nz
+28 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)