Rush is on to grab sections in the city

At least 500 residential sections are being prepared or are already for sale in and around New Plymouth as the district struggles to cope with demand for building sites.

Developers say they have never experienced demand like it before, and that it is so strong that many sections are being sold well before earthworks even begin.

The surge in section sales is being put down to a combination of several reasons:

* A strong and confident Taranaki economy.

* A shortage of sections in the first place.

* A trend among retiring Taranaki couples to not shift to the likes of Mt Maunganui and Papamoa, but instead to North Taranaki coastal locations.

"I've been here since 1980, and I've never seen subdivision developments like this," said Phil Dickey, owner of surveying company BTW.

"There are subdivisions being created all over the place, and for a range of prices too. Some are exclusive and expensive, but others are reasonably priced."

Mr Dickey said the demand for sections was the result of New Plymouth enjoying a buoyant economy over the past two or three years.

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