Mike Greer Homes has emerged as the busiest residential builder in Christchurch, leading a sector that is experiencing significant growth. According to local building analyst Mike Blackburn, 4,711 new residential dwellings were consented within Christchurch city in the year ending June 2026, marking a 27.9% increase from the 3,684 consents recorded in the previous year.
Blackburn identified the top five builders in the city based on consents sought over the 12-month period. Mike Greer Homes topped the list with 216 consents, followed by Williams Corporation (191 consents), Wolfbrook Residential (131), Four Avenues (103), and Brooksfield Homes (98). The average floor area and value of homes built by these companies varied, with Mike Greer Homes’ average dwelling size at 156 square meters and valued at $397,000.
Mike Greer, the company’s executive director and majority owner, highlighted that these Christchurch city figures do not fully capture the scale of his company’s work, which also includes projects in surrounding areas such as Rolleston, Kaiapoi, and Rangiora. These areas fall outside Christchurch city’s limits, and their consents are managed by different councils, including Selwyn District Council for Rolleston.
Greer expressed concern about the proliferation of small homes in Christchurch’s central business district (CBD) being built for Airbnb rentals, arguing this trend hampers the city’s development. He suggested that hotels provide better amenities and management for visitors and pointed to an oversupply of short-term rental properties impeding new hotel construction. Greer has called for a ban on Airbnb properties within the CBD.
In contrast, there remains strong demand for larger standalone homes on individual plots, particularly in outlying areas like Rolleston and Waimakariri, where owner-occupiers are the dominant buyers. Despite economic challenges in 2023, Greer remained optimistic about the current market, describing the situation in Christchurch as busy and thriving.
Founded in 1993, Mike Greer Homes is a major player in New Zealand’s building industry, having constructed over 15,000 homes nationwide. The company maintains a family-owned status and operates 16 branches with national development and commercial construction teams. Unlike franchise-based models common in the sector, Mike Greer Homes employs a joint venture structure where it owns a majority share in each regional branch, allowing centralized control over design, quality, and cost.
The post-earthquake reconstruction in Christchurch continues to drive strong residential building activity. Blackburn noted that new dwelling consents have reached their highest level in more than three years, reflecting a recovering market and a solid pipeline for future construction. Growth has been particularly strong in suburbs including Halswell, Hornby, Spreydon, and Papanui.
The bulk of new homes are focused on smaller, more affordable designs, with nearly two-thirds of consented dwellings measuring 100 square meters or less and approximately 53% valued between $250,000 and $500,000. Multi-unit developments show a median value of around $275,000, underscoring the city’s shift toward higher-density and compact housing solutions.
On a national level, data from construction research firm Hubexo ranked Mike Greer Homes as the second-largest residential builder in New Zealand behind GJ Gardner Homes. Between July 2025 and June 2026, Mike Greer Homes completed 653 new residences across the country, averaging 152 square meters in size and $270,000 in value. By comparison, GJ Gardner built 971 homes with an average size of 163 square meters and an average value of $529,000.
According to Blackburn, Mike Greer’s success lies in his ability to cater to a broad market segment, including affordable first-home buyers, multi-unit developments, and higher-end family homes. The company has also increasingly invested in land development, further expanding its presence in the Canterbury region.