Myth-busting Auckland’s plans for 2 million new homes

Friday, 5 September 2025

Revisions to Auckland Council’s zoning policy plans don’t often work people up into a frenzy, but include “2 million new homes” in the headline, and they take notice.

Over the past couple of weeks, it’s been a controversial issue, with communities divided and opposing sides of the argument accusing the other of scaremongering or destroying the very nature of what Auckland’s about.

ACT leader David Seymour is holding a public meeting on the issue in Parnell, Auckland, on Friday night, after telling RNZ that some parts of the plan aren’t necessary.

But not only is the issue controversial, it’s also complex. So if you thought MDRS was a type of drug and Plan Change 78 has something to do with global warming, read on.

First, a history lesson

The 2016 Auckland Unitary Plan allowed for 900,000 new homes to be built in the city. Despite that large number, around 15,000 homes have been built in Auckland each year for the past 10 years.

The previous Labour government, in agreement with National, passed a law to enable three homes of three storeys to be built anywhere in the country’s biggest cities without needing resource consent. This was known as the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) and it allowed for 2 million new dwellings in Auckland.

Auckland Council then proposed what’s known as Plan Change 78, to comply with the MDRS, to allow for more density.

Then what happened?

It rained. It rained a lot. Yes, we’re talking about the 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods.

The flooding highlighted a problem with Plan Change 78: There was nothing to stop the building of these 3x3 apartments in flood-prone areas.

Also, people didn’t like them. Nestled among older homes with more history, they could change the character of an area.

So the council went to the new coalition government to make a deal. Auckland could opt out of the MDRS. But in return, Auckland Council would find another way to enable the building of 2 million new homes.

Are we up to date yet?

Almost. Last month, the government passed legislation to allow Auckland Council to opt out of Plan Change 78. A couple of weeks ago, council agreed to get feedback from local boards and iwi.

At a meeting on September 24, councillors will vote for one of two options: Keep going with Plan Change 78; or opt out. Opting out allows for a revised plan change to be brought in, but this plan would go out for public consultation.

So what’s the revised plan?

It allows for flood-prone areas to be downzoned and ends the free rein of 3x3 buildings popping up everywhere.

But, zoning for 2 million new dwellings still has to happen, so council wants intensification around train and bus stations and in centrally located areas.

This means taller buildings in new catchment areas: 15-storey buildings permitted within 10 minutes’ walk of 22 large town centres and stations offering frequent transport; 10-storey buildings permitted within 10 minutes’ walk of 22 medium-sized town centres and stations; six-storey buildings permitted within 10 minutes’ walk of 22 additional town centres and stations.

Why are people upset?

At a heated community meeting in Mt Eden last week, locals were upset at how quickly everything was happening. Defending the Government’s position, Minister Paul Goldsmith said the council asked for haste because of the flooding issue.

However, local concerns remain that the revised plan will ruin the charm of their area and the value of their homes.

Those backing the revised plan say it’s a way to ease the city’s housing crisis. More houses reduce demand, making them cheaper.

But the Nimby factor is strong, with views expressed in support of intensification and “making the best use of the CRL, but not really where I live”.

With 15-storey apartment blocks shooting up, will Auckland end up looking like Hong Kong or Manhattan?

While there are parts of the city that could change considerably, there are also special character areas which won’t be touched, to preserve their historic and architectural value.

So will there really be 2 million new homes in Auckland?

Theoretically, there could be. Councillor Christine Fletcher said at last week’s Mt Eden meeting, Auckland would need 56 new primary schools, 23 new secondary schools and 20 new hospitals if 2 million new dwellings were built.

But that would mean every plot of land was built up to its absolute maximum, which is unlikely to happen. This plan is designed to last for many decades, not a few years.

If there are 2 million new homes and an average of three people living in each of them, that’s 6 million more people in Auckland. How can the city’s infrastructure cope with that?

Ministers enter the fray

Meanwhile, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour have joined the fray, at odds over the revised plan, RNZ reports.

Bishop is keen to see the Resource Management Amendment Bill changed to support Auckland Council’s intensification plans.

But ACT leader and Deputy Prime Minister Seymour told RNZ that some parts of the plan aren’t necessary.

Intensification made sense in some areas, like Mt Eden, he said, but not in other areas, like Parnell where the infrastructure was problematic.