New building activity in south Auckland looks likely to give the region's economy a helping hand this year.
New figures show a 27% rise in the number of residential consents between September 2011 and September 2012.
Auckland Council chief economist Geoff Cooper says after a long period of sluggish activity, the construction sector is showing signs of awakening.
He says a lot of the activity seems to be centred around southern parts of the city.
"Where the growth and where the construction is actually happening, a lot of it is concentrated down in the south, places like Papakura, Takanini, Flat Bush as well.
"There is a fair amount of construction going on there."
