New Zealand residential construction consents jumped by a fifth in July, turning around a decline in June, and spurred by increased construction intentions in Auckland.

Seasonally adjusted consents climbed to 2,525 in July, from 2,096 a month earlier, according to Statistics New Zealand.  On an unadjusted basis, new dwelling consents rose 24 per cent to 2,824 from July 2014, led by a 54 per cent jump in intentions to build townhouses, flats and units.

Dwelling consents were up 8.4 per cent on an annual basis to 25,696.

Auckland accounted for about 40 per cent of all new consents in July, with a total of 1,116, up from 849 permits in the same month a year earlier.

Canterbury was the next biggest regional contributor with 650 permits, compared to 609 in July 2014.