While the number of new dwellings being consented remains at its highest level in seven years, the trend is slowing.

Statistics New Zealand says the trend for new dwellings has more than doubled since 2011.

But it's still 25% below the peak of 2004.

Last month there were just over 2000 new dwellings consented nationwide.

That included 254 apartments.

Excluding the growth in apartments, the number of consents for new dwellings fell slightly.

Overall, almost $1.2b of building work was consented last month.