RLB CRANE INDEX®

This drop in overall crane numbers highlights the continued pressure on the residential market and the decline in residential construction activity. The residential crane sector has dominated in recent times in Auckland. However, the proportion of residential cranes fell from 57% of all long-term cranes in Q3 2022 to 23.5% in this edition; the lowest proportion of residential cranes since the index commenced.

Without significant project commitments and commencements over the next six months, residential cranes will continue to decrease across the region. Currently, 16 long-term cranes are assisting residential construction activities on 14 projects. Most of these projects had cranes positioned on them during our last count. Only five new cranes commenced on residential projects for this edition. Many of the continuing projects will be nearing completion within the next six to 12 months, highlighting the potential of a significant absence of residential cranes towards the end of 2024.

Total building consents also reflect the slowing of activity in Auckland. There was a 5.8% fall in overall consents in the first six months of 2024. Residential consents fell by 8.5% and non-residential consents rose marginally, by 0.4%. These consent values correlate with the falling number of cranes across the Auckland region and point to a reduction in the forward construction pipeline, particularly in the vertical residential sector.

Stats NZ’s most recent building work put in place results for Auckland are similar, with building activity increasing by 0.7% for the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Activity in the residential sector fell by 8.1% in 2024, while activity in the non-residential sector rose by 15.4%.

The non-residential count for Auckland increased by 3.6% (equivalent to two long-term cranes). The data centre sector remains strong in the Auckland region, with a record seven long-term cranes currently installed on projects.

Across Auckland, only five new residential long-term cranes commenced. These were positioned at:

• Elementum Apartments (Torbay)
• Toi by Ockham (Point Chevalier)
• Verge Apartments (Mt Wellington)
• Northbrook Enabling Wynyard Quarter (Auckland Central)
• Simplicity Living Apartments (Mt Wellington)

The civil sector increased by three long-term cranes at the following projects:

• Eastern Busway
• Watercare Central Interceptor
• (Sandringham and Grey Lynn)

Other new cranes placed in Auckland included:

Aged Care

• Ryman Healthcare Aged Care (Takapuna)

Commercial

• Fisher & Paykel Appliances HQ (Penrose)

Data Centres and Industrial

• HV2 CDC Data Centre (Hobsonville)
• DCI Data Centre AKL02 (Rosedale)

Hotel

• Double Tree Hilton (Central)

Retail

• Ikea (an additional two cranes in Mt Wellington)
• New World (Point Chevalier)

Notable projects that had long-term cranes removed over the past six months included:

• Keith Park Retirement Village (Ryman) – two cranes (Hobsonville)
• AIAL Transport Hub (Auckland Airport) – two cranes
• CRL Contract 6, Mount Eden Station
• Wynyard Quayside (Central)
• Kahu at Long Bay