New figures show the number of building consents granted for earthquake-related work in Canterbury fell slightly from a record high in March.
Statistics New Zealand says 141 quake-related residential consents were issued in April, down from 152 the previous month.
Of the 141 residential consents issued in Canterbury for quake-related work, just 17 were for new houses.
Statistics New Zealand says the figures may understate the true picture, however, as its figures for new houses are only for those being rebuilt on the same site - not those built as part of new developments.
All up, 1215 quake-related residential consents have been issued since the first earthquake hit the region in September 2010, with 300 being for new houses.
Warwick Quinn, from the Registered Master Builders, says design work being undertaken now suggests that many more applications for new houses are just around the corner.
