Last week, the Minister for Housing and Resource Management Act (RMA) Reform, Hon. Chris Bishop announced new housing growth targets for New Zealand’s cities.
The six changes are:
1. The establishment of Housing Growth Targets for Tier 1 and 2 councils.
2. New rules require cities to be allowed to expand outwards at the urban fringe.
3. A strengthening of the intensification provisions in the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD).
4. New rules requiring councils to enable mixed-use developments in our cities.
5. The abolition of minimum floor area and balcony requirements.
6. New provisions making the MDRS optional for councils.
Property Council is generally supportive of the proposed changes; however, we will be making further commentary during the public consultation period in early 2025 when more details are available.
You can read the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Ministry for the Environment’s Factsheet for more information here.
Author | Sandamali Ambepitiya
Sandamali arrived at Property Council with a Bachelor of Arts and Law, and experience as an advisor with the Employers & Manufacturers Association.
Conscientious and detailed, Sandamali leads our advocacy in the South Island and Wellington regions. She is also leading our work on the reform of the resource management and building systems and sustainability / seismic strengthening.
An excellent listener, Sandamali is in her element when facilitating stakeholders and members to develop our advocacy positions.
