Regional performance
Auckland remains the leader, with 59 cranes representing over half the national total. The city's index rose 13.3 per cent from 158 to 179 points, marking its first increase since Q1 2022. Thirty-one cranes were added while 24 were removed during the quarter.
Christchurch recorded gains, supported by Te Kaha Stadium, which remains the largest single site in the country with ten cranes in operation. The city added four net cranes to reach 23 total, lifting its index from 61 to 74 points.
Hamilton, Queenstown, and Tauranga all saw increases. Tauranga's index jumped from 550 to 700 points on the strength of three additional cranes, bringing its total to 14.
Wellington and Dunedin experienced declines. Wellington dropped to a record low of five cranes, down from eight, with its index falling from 89 to 56 points. Dunedin recorded zero cranes for the first time since Q1 2021.
Sectoral shifts
The non-residential index recovered after two consecutive declines, rising from 139 to 153 points, with long-term cranes increasing from 79 to 87. Net crane additions in data centres, industrial projects, aged care, and hotels highlight areas of long-term investment linked to infrastructure demand, demographic shifts, and tourism.
The residential index stabilised after bottoming out in Q3 2024, rising to 132 points from 118. Residential cranes now total 29 across the main centres, making up 25 per cent of the national total. This represents a modest recovery but remains sharply down from the high of 76 in Q3 2022.
Civil cranes now total 26, nearly matching residential activity and accounting for 22.4 per cent of the national total.
Despite the increase in crane numbers, building activity and consents data indicate ongoing challenges. National building activity fell 10.4 per cent in Q1 2025 on an actual value basis. Dwelling consents increased just 0.2 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2025.
Non-residential construction continues under pressure, with a 10.2 per cent year-on-year decline in Q1 2025. Residential construction remains subdued but shows signs of stabilisation. Developers remain cautious, especially in Auckland, where demand has softened, though the government's Residential Development Underwrite scheme may help ease financing pressures.
The construction industry faces multiple challenges, including government reviews of capital works spending across education, health, and social housing sectors. The improving interest rate environment may help stimulate residential development activity in the medium term, particularly for shovel-ready projects that have been awaiting more favourable economic conditions.
