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Building activity decreased 0.4 percent in the March 2012 quarter, after removing price change and seasonal variation, Statistics New Zealand said today. This followed an increase of 2.8 percent in the December 2011 quarter.

"The overall decrease in the March 2012 quarter was due to a fall in residential work, which more than offset a rise in non-residential work," industry and labour statistics manager Blair Cardno said. "Building activity in Canterbury showed signs of picking up after the earthquakes, particularly for non-residential building work. However, overall building activity decreased in the rest of New Zealand."

The trend for overall building activity continues to rise from the 10-year low point of the September 2011 quarter. The trend for residential building activity has risen slightly from an 18-year low point, while the trend for non-residential building activity shows a moderate rise after falling during most of 2011.

Data for building activity is obtained each quarter, primarily by a postal survey of around 3,000 builders, owners, and other building consent applicants.