RLB CRANE INDEX®

77
+19 (33.3%)

The index value rose by 19 points, from 58 to 77 - the highest value since Q1 2017.

Q1 2024

RLB CRANE INDEX®

CHRISTCHURCH

Q1 2024

Highlights

Christchurch saw an increase in crane numbers for the third consecutive reporting period. The index value rose by 19 points, from 58 to 77 – the highest value since Q1 2017. The region currently hosts 24 cranes, up from 18 in the previous edition.

Twelve long-term cranes were added to developments in Christchurch, and six were removed.

Twenty-four cranes can now be seen in Christchurch. Te Kaha – Christchurch Stadium accounts for almost half of these, with 10 cranes assisting the development; the site has most cranes in New Zealand.

Cranes removed from projects include:

  • Ranui Apartments – Bone Marrow Cancer Trust
  • CDHB Carpark
  • Regent Building
  • Oxford Apartments
  • Court Theatre
  • Lexus Showroom

New cranes have been placed at:

  • Te Kaha – Christchurch Stadium (four new cranes, adding to the six long-term cranes previously)
  • University of Otago Christchurch Redevelopment
  • Worchester Boulevard Carpark Demolition
  • Office Development (200 High Street)
  • QB Studios (239 High Street)
  • Manchester Square
  • Fletcher Living Development
  • Canterbury Museum Redevelopment
  • Kind Foundation Carpark

Te Kaha – Christchurch Stadium is well into the construction phase with 10 cranes on site, an increase of four since the edition of the RLB Crane Index. This $683m project is currently the largest construction site in the Christchurch CBD.

In 2023, the overall level of building activity in the Canterbury region grew strongly; there was a 15% surge in activity compared to 2022. The residential sector saw a gain of 7% compared to the 2022 calendar year, while the non-residential sector rose by a significant 33%.

The overall level of building consents in 2023 for the Canterbury region fell by 7.8% to $4.5bn. This can be almost entirely attributed to the residential sector, which saw building activity fall by 11% compared to the 2022 calendar year. The non-residential sector rose by a small margin of 0.2%.

Q1 2024

Summary

Region Change
CHRISTCHURCH 6
Sector Change
AGED CARE N/A
CIVIC 1
CIVIL 1
COMMERCIAL N/A
DATA CENTRES N/A
EDUCATION 1
HEALTH -1
HOTEL N/A
MIXED USE -1
RECREATION 4
RESIDENTIAL 1
RETAIL N/A
Increase in number of cranes
Decrease in number of cranes
Crane numbers steady

Q1 2024

Crane Activity

By Region

OPENING / CLOSING COUNT COMPARISON

OPENING COUNT MOVEMENT CLOSING COUNT
Q3 2023 % NET Q1 2024 %
CHRISTCHURCH 18 12.5% 12 -6 6 24 17.3%

By Sector

OPENING / CLOSING COUNT COMPARISON

OPENING COUNT MOVEMENT CLOSING COUNT
Q3 2023 % NET Q1 2024 %
AGED CARE 0 0.0% 0 0 0 0 0.0%
CIVIC 1 5.6% 1 0 1 2 8.3%
CIVIL 1 5.6% 2 -1 1 2 8.3%
COMMERCIAL 0 0.0% 0 0 0 0 0.0%
DATA CENTRES 0 0.0% 0 0 0 0 0.0%
EDUCATION 1 5.6% 1 0 1 2 8.3%
HEALTH 3 16.7% 0 -1 -1 2 8.3%
HOTEL 0 0.0% 0 0 0 0 0.0%
MIXED USE 4 22.2% 2 -3 -1 3 12.5%
RECREATION 7 38.9% 4 0 4 11 45.8%
RESIDENTIAL 1 5.6% 2 -1 1 2 8.3%
RETAIL 0 0.0% 0 0 0 0 0.0%
TOTAL 18 12.5% 12 -6 6 24 17.3%