Statistics New Zealand released its building permits data on late Thursday evening. Building permits in New Zealand increased 2.3% in December, after a 2.4% gain in November. November's figure was revised up from a 1.8% rise.

Residential work rose 22% year-on-year in December, while non-residential work climbed 29%.

"Last year was the ninth-highest year on record for dwelling consents, beaten only by the building booms in the 1970s and early 2000s. The largest increases in 2015 were for townhouses and apartments. Consents for houses also increased, while retirement village units decreased very slightly," business indicators manager Clara Eatherley said.