Source: Auckland Council
Auckland Council’s Policy, Planning and Development Committee has today endorsed two scenarios for potential changes to Plan Change 120 for feedback from local boards and iwi authorities, following recent Government changes to Auckland’s housing rules.
This follows legislation reducing Auckland’s minimum housing capacity requirement from around 2 million homes to a minimum of 1.4 million homes.
This is not a final decision on Plan Change 120. The committee has endorsed two scenarios to be shared with local boards and iwi authorities for feedback as the next step in considering any potential changes to the plan change.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says he wants to see a plan change that focuses on intensifying in the right places.
“We need to do this, rather than simply hearing from the loudest groups and individuals who are against virtually everything,” he said.
“That means focussing on allowing more housing near stations that benefit the most from the CRL, and along frequent bus routes.
“It’s completely illogical that we would vote for intensifying along the train lines to the west, but not to the east.
“Despite the fact that there were a range of views, almost nobody that’s approached me has not supported the idea that Auckland should decide what Auckland liked, not Wellington politicians.
“The amendment was just a move to pander to a couple of minor Wellington politicians that people don’t know the names of.
“Local board and iwi feedback is important to get the plan right as local understand their areas best.”
Two approaches for feedback
Councillor Richard Hills, chair of the Policy, Planning and Development Committee, says today’s decision is not about making changes to Plan Change 120. It is about seeking feedback on two possible scenarios before any decisions are made.
“We’re taking forward two scenarios in detail so local boards and iwi authorities can compare both scenarios in detail and provide feedback to help inform any future decisions on potential changes to Plan Change 120.
“The Government’s changes provide greater flexibility to better balance housing capacity with transport and infrastructure access and stronger protections from flooding in high-risk areas.
“Both scenarios continue to focus on enabling more homes where they make the most sense for Aucklanders, in well-connected areas with strong access to jobs, public transport, and services. This is where demand for housing is strongest and where Aucklanders have already invested heavily in transport, water and other infrastructure,” he says.
“Areas close to the city centre, metropolitan centres and rapid transit stops already have some of the strongest access to jobs, everyday services and fast, frequent public transport. Major investments like the City Rail Link and Central Interceptor are making many of these locations even better placed to support more housing.
“Even under Scenario B, it is proposed that the zoning for around 85 per cent of Auckland’s urban area would remain unchanged from the Auckland Unitary Plan, adopted in 2016.
“But that does not mean growth stops. Both scenarios would still enable more housing than the current Auckland Unitary Plan,” says Councillor Hills.
What are the two scenarios?
Scenario A meets the Government’s mandatory housing requirements for walkable catchments around the city centre, metropolitan centres, rapid transit stops and five Western Line train stations. Much of the additional housing proposed in Plan Change 120 outside those areas would generally revert to the current Auckland Unitary Plan.
Scenario B retains the Government’s mandatory requirements while also enabling additional housing opportunities in some walkable catchments, around local centres and along frequent bus routes where there is strong access to jobs, public transport, infrastructure and services.
Both scenarios retain stronger rules to better protect people and property from flooding and other natural hazards proposed through Plan Change 120. This includes additional downzoning in the most vulnerable areas based on updated flood modelling and rainfall data, along with stronger consenting rules to limit housing in high-risk areas and to make homes more resilient.
The existing protections already proposed in PC120 would remain unchanged under both scenarios, including for many special character areas, coastal areas and the natural environment that can limit building heights and development in some places.
Housing capacity is not a building target
The current Auckland Unitary Plan is estimated to provide housing capacity for around 1.2 million homes.
Scenario A is estimated to provide housing capacity of between 1.4 and 1.6 million homes, while Scenario B is estimated to provide capacity of between 1.5 and 1.7 million homes.
“Housing capacity is not a target for how many homes will be built. It is a measure of how many homes planning rules could theoretically allow over time if every property in Auckland was fully developed to the maximum the rules allow,” says Councillor Hills.
“It does not mean Auckland will build 1.4 million or 1.7 million homes. How many homes are ultimately built depends on factors like population growth, market demand, infrastructure availability and decisions made by property owners and developers.”
What happens next?
Local boards and iwi authorities will now provide feedback on the two scenarios.
The committee is expected to consider that feedback, along with further analysis, before deciding whether any changes to Plan Change 120 should be proposed in July 2026.
Later this year, Aucklanders will have another opportunity to provide feedback on PC120, including any proposed changes, through an additional round of public submissions.
The more than 10,500 submissions already made on Plan Change120 remain valid.
An Independent Hearings Panel will then hold public hearings and make recommendations to the council before final decisions are made in mid-2027.
Ends
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/09/two-scenarios-being-considered-for-potential-pc120-changes/