Record number of long-term cranes for New Zealand

According to last week’s release of the Q1 2023 Rider Levett Bucknall Crane Index®, a record 157 long-term cranes were sighted on construction sites nationally in March across the main centres, with resilience being shown by most sectors.

The report found that New Zealand has 157 long-term cranes on construction sites across the seven main centres. 103 cranes in Auckland, 9 in Wellington, 14 in Christchurch, 15 in Queenstown, 5 in Tauranga, 6 in Dunedin and 5 in Hamilton.

Rider Levett Bucknall Director Mr Chris Haines said, “Today’s release of our RLB Crane Index® shows another strong result for NZ’s construction industry. Resilience is continuing to be shown with significant activity across most sectors.”

Key points in this issue:

  • Small decrease in residential cranes
  • Work volume high despite labour and supply chain issues
  • Building consents continue to grow
  • Residential crane numbers fall slightly
  • Crane numbers almost double in Queenstown
  • The value of building work done increases
  • Crane activity picks up in Auckland’s east and south-eastern areas.

RLB Crane Index

Record number of long term cranes for New Zealand. 

Read the analysis

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