Economic analysis for Auckland

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Key economic indicator graphs for Auckland city

Residential building consents in Auckland city for new dwellings

This graph shows the number of building consents that have been issued for new buildings in Auckland city. The number of new consents has decreased gradually since 2006, but has remained flat in the last quarter, following a peak in 2004. Earlier peaks also occurred in 2002/2003 and 1999/2000.

Non-residential building consents in Auckland city

This graph shows the value of non-residential building consents in Auckland city for consents for new buildings and for the alteration of existing buildings. The value of these has fluctuated over the last decade. The total value has decreased in the last quarter, following dramatic rises due to increases in the value of consents for new buildings.

Annual value of exports through Auckland airport and seaport

This graph shows the annual value of exports that have passed through Auckland airport and seaport. The total value of exports has been gradually increasing since about 2003/2004, with a rapid growth in the latter half of 2007. Recently, annual value of exports has declined and the annual growth in exports has slowed, but remains positive.

Annual GDP growth

This graph shows Auckland city's annual GDP growth in the year ended in each June. GDP growth has become negative in Auckland city over the last year and is well below the immigration fuelled peak of 2003.

Investment intentions (Buildings)

This graph shows whether the net percentage of respondent businesses in Auckland city that have a greater intention of investing in buildings over the next 12 months compared to the last 12 months. The net percentage of respondents is calculated by subtracting the percentage of the respondents saying "greater" from the percentage that say "less". Building investment intentions have plummeted over the last year and a half. This has been caused by a difficulty to obtain credit and deteriorating business conditions. In the last quarter, the measure has moved further away from a low point in the December 2008 quarter.

Unemployment rate for Auckland city

This graph shows the annual average unemployment rate in Auckland city. It has been increasing over the past few years as growth in the labour force has exceeded growth in employment. The financial crisis has negative implications for unemployment in the short to medium term. Rates still remain below levels experienced in the late 1990s.

National inflation

This graph shows New Zealand's inflation rate and is divided into tradable and non-tradable inflation. These have fluctuated over the last decade, particularly tradable inflation. Throughout much of 2007 and 2008, tradable inflation increased sharply due to food and fuel costs. However, depressed global demand and a drop in fuel prices have reversed this trend in the last three quarters.

Auckland city migration

This graph shows the overseas annual net migration to Auckland city and is divided into arrivals and departures. Net migration has begun to increase in the last three quarters due to a drop in the number of departures. This follows a four year period of relative stability and is below a peak in 2003.

Trade weighted index

This graph shows New Zealand's trade weighted index each month over the last decade. It is a measure of the "value of the New Zealand dollar (NZD) relative to the currencies of New Zealand's major trading partners (Reserve Bank of New Zealand)." The TWI has depreciated sharply since March 2008, in response to the financial crisis abroad. Although, against the odds, it has risen dramatically in the last few months on the back of broader weakness in the US dollar, and an increased appetite for risk.

Retail sales in Auckland city

This graph shows the annual percentage growth in retail sales in the year to each month in Auckland city. Growth has fluctuated over the last decade and is currently well below a highpoint in 2004 and a smaller peak in 2007. In the last three quarters, sales have actually declined, which has not been seen since 1999.

Published November 2009