The government proposes scrapping many central city height and dimension limits to leverage the new City Rail Link, but a leading developer says regulation changes alone won’t produce short-term housing.
The government released a report recommending removal of most CBD height and dimension limits, estimating about 17,000 more dwellings and economic gains if fully taken up.
Mark Todd, co-founder of Ockham Residential, says zoning change alone won’t prompt private developers to build in the CBD in the short term because demand and incentives are lacking.
Some industry figures welcome the proposal as a long-term enabler for growth, but local place-specific concerns remain, including heritage and the character of Karangahape Road.
Photo credit: RNZ / Kate Newton Audio player for " Removing Auckland CBD height limits won't work. Under current rules, parts of the Auckland CBD have building height limits of 72.5 metres. The proposal would remove these caps for the majority of the central city and scrap other rules about how big and far apart buildings have to be.
"You've just had 20 years proving the private sector isn't going to build you apartments in the CBD to leverage the billions of dollars we've invested. Because policy settings are wrong." Todd said he's never constructed a building in the CBD and is just speaking as an Aucklander. Residential CEO Checkpoint A major Auckland property developer says a government proposal to remove building height restrictions in the CBD is just politics and he doesn't believe there will be a single new apartment built in the short term because of the change.
At full uptake, annual GDP is expected to increase by $1.87 billion. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the changes will help to capitalise on the newly opened $5.5 billion City Rail Link. "There is just this myth that if I just tweak the regulations, Auckland CBD will just suddenly start sprouting apartments," he said.
The government and Auckland's mayor want fewer planning rules, to "take full advantage" of the new City Rail Link.
Work on the partially completed 56-storey residential tower stopped in 2024 following a dispute between the developer and contractor.
The data firm says news that Labour has ruled out reintroducing its interest deductibility ban may bring more property investors back into the market.
The “preferred purchaser” will now progress to an advanced due diligence programme, alongside negotiations toward a formal Sale and Purchase Agreement.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown welcomes the legislation, saying "common sense has prevailed" for building owners in the city.
An enormous 18,500 homes are proposed for Dunsink – and developers are unsure about the focus on high-rise apartments in the plans.
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