The latest RLB Crane Index® for Q3 2025 offers a cautious glimmer of hope for New Zealand’s construction sector, revealing a modest increase in crane activity across the country’s key centres.
According to Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), 116 long-term cranes were operating nationwide this quarter, up from 105 in Q1—a 10.5% rise that suggests building activity may be slowly gaining momentum after a prolonged period of subdued growth.
“While New Zealand’s building recovery has been slow, this increase in crane numbers provides some optimism,” said Bradley Coley, Associate Director at RLB. “Auckland continues to dominate the skyline, but other centres like Christchurch, Tauranga, Queenstown, and Hamilton also recorded gains.”
Regional highlights
Auckland remains the country’s crane capital, hosting 59 long-term cranes, more than half the national total. Residential cranes make up nearly a third of these, with 17 operating across 15 multi-unit projects, including developments by Precinct Properties and Simplicity Living. Tier 2 contractors such as Kalmar and CMP are leading crane activity in Auckland, while Tier 1 contractors remain at historically low levels.
Christchurch saw 23 cranes on site, buoyed by major projects such as Te Kaha Stadium, which alone hosts 10 cranes—the largest concentration in the country. Tauranga (14 cranes), Queenstown (12), and Hamilton (3) also contributed to the national increase, while Wellington and Dunedin experienced declines, reflecting softer economic conditions in those regions. Wellington dropped to a record low of five cranes after three were removed this quarter.
Residential sector showing signs of stabilisation
Residential construction, although still subdued, is starting to show early signs of recovery. The RLB Crane Index® reports 29 residential cranes across the main centres, representing 25% of the national total—a net increase of three cranes over six months. Year-on-year, dwelling consents rose marginally by 0.2% in the first half of 2025. However, developers remain cautious, particularly in Auckland, where demand has softened despite government measures like the Residential Development Underwrite scheme aimed at easing financing challenges.
Non-residential construction under pressure
Non-residential projects continue to face headwinds, with a 10.2% year-on-year decline in consents during Q1 2025. Gains in Wellington were not enough to offset reductions in Auckland and Canterbury, pointing to a thinning construction pipeline. Yet, some sub-sectors—data centres, industrial projects, aged care, and hotels—registered net crane additions, highlighting targeted long-term investment linked to infrastructure demand, demographic shifts, and tourism growth.
Civil construction cranes remained steady at 26, nearly matching residential activity, underscoring ongoing investment in infrastructure projects.
Outlook for New Zealand construction
“The increase in crane numbers comes against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, cautious investment, rising unemployment, and falling migration,” Mr. Coley said. “While the short-term picture remains cautious, the long-term outlook is positive, supported by a strong rural economy and expectations of continued low interest rates.”
RLB’s Crane Index®, now in its 10th year in New Zealand, remains a key barometer of construction activity, tracking the physical presence of cranes on major sites across the country’s main centres. By comparing current data to a baseline set in Q3 2015, the index highlights shifts in workload and investment trends over time.
For property professionals, the Q3 2025 report offers a mixed but cautiously optimistic view: while the pace of building recovery is slow, strategic pockets of growth in both residential and specialist non-residential sectors suggest opportunities for developers, investors, and contractors willing to navigate a selective market.