New figures show fewer houses are being built than a decade ago, despite recent increases.
The Statistics New Zealand figures come as concerns mount over a continuing shortage of homes making housing unaffordable for many people.
The statistics cover both residential and non-residential building, and show there was $15 billion worth of construction in 2014, $2.8 billion more than in 2013.
Nearly two thirds of that was in Auckland and Canterbury.
When broken down further, the figures show residential construction has risen steadily since 2011, but was still seven percent lower than its peak in 2004.
