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Christchurch City Council’s decision to reject government’s rules enabling greater housing density created a stir among Auckland’s Mayoral candidates.
The government’s national standards for housing density allow three homes up to three storeys tall on most residential sections, without planning permission.
Last month Christchurch City Council voted not to formally notify changes to its zoning to enable government’s housing density standards. The Council also wrote to government, demanding to be left out of the law change.
It was in sharp contrast with Auckland Council’s reaction, which was to notify the zoning changes but put in place ‘qualifying matters’ which if adopted could exempt some areas (including large parts of Whangaparāoa peninsula) on grounds such as water infrastructure.
Outgoing Mayor Phil Goff says Auckland Council is statutorily required to comply with the legislation and not to do this would be counterproductive. He says specifying qualifying matters allowed Council to influence the process.
“To follow a Christchurch model would mean government will step in and force the plan change with no requirement for qualifying matters,” Goff says.
By contrast, Mayoral candidate Michael Kampkes says he would follow Christchurch’s lead if elected.
“I would lead Council to take the same action, defy the government and stymie the introduction of this needless and draconian legislation,” he says. “Building under the existing Unitary Plan will already provide the city with a housing surplus within the next 12 months.”
Mayoral candidate Craig Lord admitted to “a wry smile” when he heard what Christchurch has done and said he “semi-agreed” with Kampkes.
“I think we are a 1.6 million population and if we said we don’t want it, we just say no and see what happens,” he says. “If elected, I will use every legal power that the office has to fight those plans.”
Wayne Brown’s view was likewise in favour of standing up against government, if he is elected.
“Central government has overstepped the mark. These are Auckland decisions for Aucklanders. As Mayor I will remind Auckland’s MPs that they represent this city, and they should be taking our issues to Wellington, not the other way round. I will renegotiate the density changes with government.”
Efeso Collins says while the changes through government’s National Policy Statement isn’t the preferred approach, there is a more constructive way of engaging than just refusing to follow the law.
“Council has already agreed to a draft position. Now the public has had a say and independent commissioners will express a view. But simply refusing to carry out the will of parliament would be counterproductive and potentially undemocratic.”
Government’s response to Christchurch’s refusal to comply is still awaited, but it is not expected to allow any exemption from the rules.
Hibiscus Matters offered all Mayoral candidates a chance to share their views on this – those who commented specifically on Christchurch’s position, as requested in the question put to them, are included here.
Zoning changes Public submissions on Auckland Council’s Plan Change 78 closed on September 29. Feedback will be considered by an independent hearings panel, who will make recommendations on the changes early next year.
