Nearly 2,000 new dwellings were consented last month, but there are signs the trend is decreasing.

Statistics New Zealand says the trend for new dwellings was previously at its highest level since August 2007.

But it's now easing, although consents are still about 10% higher than this time last year.

Last month the seasonally adjusted number of consented new dwellings decreased by 12%.

In unadjusted terms, 1,985 new dwellings were consented, including 262 apartments.

Almost $1.3b of building work was consented, with the majority of it residential.