RLB CRANE INDEX®

The number of long-term cranes across New Zealand’s main centres fell from 116 in Q3 2025 to 102 in Q1 2026. The national RLB Crane Index^® fell from 147 to 129 points, a 12.1% fall. The New Zealand construction market remains weak, with the Crane Index now at its lowest point since 2016.

The decline in the Crane Index reflects the completion of several large projects along with the completion of several aged care developments in Auckland. But there are tentative signs of a recovery in construction activity, led by residential construction. Lower interest rates are the key driver of the expected recovery – the Reserve Bank of New Zealand cut the official cash rate from 5.5% in July 2024 to 2.25% in November 2025. Stronger population growth will also support demand, but any rebound is likely to be uneven and sector specific.

New Zealand’s residential crane index value remains at 132 index points, unchanged from the previous edition. The current index value represents 29 long-term residential cranes, well below the high of 76 recorded in Q3 2022. Residential cranes now make up 28.2% of all long-term cranes in New Zealand.

Residential construction continues to face headwinds, but long-term residential crane numbers have held steady. The residential crane index remains at 132 points, represented by 29 long-term cranes across the key centres, suggesting the sector has stabilised at a low base while developers remain selective on new multi-unit commencements.

Non-residential construction, by contrast, has weakened further. The non-residential index has fallen by 16% to 128 points (73 cranes), driven largely by the wind down of recreation work in Christchurch and a reduction in commercial and aged care cranes. Offsetting this, civil, civic and health-related projects recorded net increases, pointing to continued public and infrastructure-led activity.

Auckland remains the epicentre of crane activity, hosting 58 long-term cranes – more than half the national total – although the city recorded a small net decline. Christchurch experienced the largest fall (down 15 cranes) following the removal of all cranes from One New Zealand Stadium (Te Kaha). Dunedin and Hamilton recorded modest gains, Tauranga remained stable, while Queenstown and Wellington softened.

Nationally, fifty-six cranes were removed from sites, while forty-two new cranes were placed on sites.   A lower crane count aligns with official statistics showing the New Zealand construction sector remains weak. The total volume of building work put in place in 2025 was down 8.5% from 2024 (to $28.2 billion), although new building consents increased 9.3% in the year ended January 2026 (to 36,944 dwellings).