
A great year to build: Lockwood Homes
Increased enquiries and show home visits indicate an upsurge in home building in New Zealand this year, according to a leading national building company.
Since October 2024, Lockwood Homes has experienced a rise in enquiries for its homes to be built in Marlborough, Nelson Tasman, Canterbury, West Coast, Methven, Mackenzie Country, and throughout Central Otago.
‘‘We’re quietly anticipating that 2025 will see more builds commenced than in recent years,” says Lockwood’s group head of Strategic Partnerships and Growth, John Stewart. He adds that many enquiries are from people familiar with and interested in building with Lockwood, having lived in one or enjoyed a friend or family member’s home.
“History shows people commence their general plan to build with us many years prior to the formal commencement, and often in secret.” Many such secrets are shared with Karen Gillam, longtime head of enquiry and sales at Lockwood’s South Island Regional Office in Hornby. “We hear some amazing stories and reflections on the location, performance of our homes, thoughts on design and of memorable times spent in and around the properties,” Karen notes.
At the end of 2024, the company completed a two-year revitalisation of its national builder network that now boasts nine outstanding teams across the South Island, and 22 nationally.
“The principals and staff bring experience in high-end architectural construction, and the majority have previous Lockwood experience,” says John. “All are equally comfortable building an existing Lockwood plan or creating a bespoke, one-off reflection of the locality, owners’ lifestyles and preferences.”
Looking at the year ahead, the company expects that while there will likely be some effect on our economy should USA and China increase import tariffs on consumer goods, the global markets for pastoral and New Zealand manufactured products are increasing in size and value, producing incomes well beyond recent years.
“We are also seeing the NZ dollar dropping in value, meaning exporters will enjoy further increases in their incomes which will find their way into the internal economy. At the same time imported products will increase somewhat, particularly fuel.
“The South Island should benefit widely from any substantial increase in export earnings. Here in the south, we may see an increase in internal tourism and overseas tourists enjoying greater reach of their currencies here,” John suggests. He predicts renewed interest in Farmstay and Cycle Trail accommodation, igniting regional economies and building markets, especially if the Government manages to complete its plan to free up Building Consent processes for under 60m2 dwellings.
See for yourself
Visit the Lockwood South Island Regional Office
431 Main South Road, Hornby, Christchurch
Open Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm, Sunday 1pm – 4pm
(Closed Saturday and public holidays)