ELECTION 2023
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t’s important to start with the primary outcome of a National-led government implementing this plan – the ability for Councils to opt-out of the MDRS. Instead, National plans to introduce ‘Land for Housing Growth Targets’ for Tier One and Two urban areas in New Zealand. This gives Councils the ability to opt out if they provide “30 years’ worth of developable housing capacity” in the short term, elsewhere through higher density in centres and walking catchments, or in greenfield developments. This doesn’t go far enough. Many councils will not have to do much to meet 30 years of theoretical capacity in their district plan. It does not mean we will actually get the capacity where we need it, which is in the most central locations close to jobs, education and services. National’s plan provides an opportunity for councils to opt out of this if they face challenges from the existing residents. Furthermore, full implementation of the MDRS in district plans, would almost deliver more than 30 years theoretical capacity. For the development market to function effectively, there is a need for significantly more theoretical capacity, to ensure that enough financially feasible sites can be purchased and developed. As a headline, 30 years can seem to be enough but a majority of the supply will likely not be realised. Therefore, it needs to go further. To meet the 10-to-30-year demand will require significantly more capacity again. I think we should be going much further now and the MDRS, ideally with some improvements, would be a step in the right direction. 22 propertyandbuild.com
An 8 storey, mixed-use development in Greenlane, Auckland with a small supermarket on the ground floor, shows exactly the sort of development we should be encouraging around our rapid transit stations.
National’s new housing strategy ‘a mixed bag’
Though National’s decision to somewhat back down on the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) comes as a disappointment, there are some good new policies in this plan, Better things are possible author Malcolm McCracken writes Secondly, this policy doesn’t necessarily ensure housing supply where it is required or ensure variety of typologies and sizes of dwelling can realistically be built to meet varied demand. We should be seeking to enable an abundance of housing capacity, which will support higher housing supply and choice, in terms of typology and location. However, while they are backing down to some
extent on the MDRS, which is disappointing, there are some good new policies in this plan.
Mixed-use development around rapid transit
Firstly, National intends to strengthen the NPS-UD requirement for councils to zone for at least six storeys in the walking catchments of rapid transit stations and major town and city cen-
tres, to enable mixed-use development. This would be excellent. Enabling mixed use development, particularly for retail and commercial floors to residential buildings is critical to supporting medium to high density living, with access to daily needs provided through proximity. The only concern I have with this policy is its potential to slow down the “fast track” plan change pro-
