NewsMinister of Finances pre-budget announcements housing policy
In his speech, the Finance Minister stated that a principle cause of affordability issues, in Auckland in particular, arise from planning rules set by councils that restrict, delay and raise the cost of development.
“We are currently building around 9,500 houses each year in Auckland – which is the highest rate of housebuilding there in eleven years.
“However, we need on average around 13,000 houses each year in Auckland for the next 30 years.
“The Government’s very clear expectation of Auckland Council is that it will approve a plan in August that delivers this.
It is for Auckland to decide how and where that target is achieved.”
In the meantime, says Bill English, the Government has an intensive work programme underway alongside the Council to free up more land to increase housing supply. Government development projects are expected to deliver at least 10,000 houses by 2020.
Later this year Government will be passing amendments to the Resource Management Act.
