Building consents are coming back to earth after record highs last year.

Stats NZ says consents fell 11 percent in the year to May.

Certified Builders Association Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming says homeowners are favouring doing up their own houses instead of building new ones.

He told Francesca Rudkin that doesn't mean builders haven't been busy.

Fleming says there was already existing high demand so builders have good workloads.

LISTEN ABOVE

Building consents are coming back to earth after record highs last year.
Stats NZ says consents fell 11 percent in the year to May.
Certified Builders Association Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming says homeowners are favouring doing up their own houses instead of building new ones.
He told Francesca Rudkin that doesn't mean builders haven't been busy.
Fleming says there was already existing high demand so builders have good workloads.
LISTEN ABOVE

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A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.