Auckland building costs rose 17 per cent in the past year compared only 7 per cent nationally, a trend Labour’s Andrew Little says illustrates a dire situation.

Using Statistics NZ material, Little said Auckland building consent costs rose from $1846/sq m in the year to March 2016 to $2153/sq m in the latest March year. That compares to the national rise from $1812/sq m to $1946/sq m, he said pointing to the official data.
“Building costs in Auckland rose 17 per cent last year. We need change to build affordable housing,” Little said. “Clearly, the Auckland building industry is struggling to get the workers to keep up with demand.”
Read more here: NZ Herald – 17 per cent Auckland building inflation raises Labour’s ire