Urban Development News from the media | 12 August 2025 | Draft National Infrastructure Plan & Building Nations speech

Draft National Infrastructure Plan & Building Nations speech

Minister used the Building Nations forum to set out the draft National Infrastructure Plan (NIP) priorities and flagged reforms to road-pricing and long-term maintenance funding. The NIP emphasises closing “underinvestment” gaps, better business cases, and prioritisation to avoid delivering projects that don’t return social/economic value. The speech reiterated a push for improved planning certainty and stronger central coordination between Crown, councils and iwi. The plan’s ambition is to reduce “start-stop” cycles and better sequence infrastructure investments to unlock housing and economic development. Industry stakeholders are being asked to respond to the draft during consultation windows.

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/speech-building-nations-2025

Rotorua iwi-led housing: Ōwhata Kōhanga Rākau to add 39 more affordable homes

Ōwhata 2B and 7 Ahuwhenua Trusts are pleased to announce the unconditional purchase of 27 completed homes, and 12 vacant sections for new builds, in Frank Street, Koutu, Rotorua.

This acquisition is by the Trusts subsidiary, Kohanga Rakau Housing no 2 LP (“KRHno2 LP”) and will result in 39 new homes once the additional 12 new builds are constructed. The purchase marks a major expansion of the Trusts’ affordable housing portfolio where the need and demand in Rotorua remains high.

This milestone builds on the success of the Ōwhata Kōhanga Rākau housing initiative where the total number of affordable rental homes under the Trusts’ stewardship will grow to 77. It reflects a strong commitment to supporting whānau with safe, warm and well-designed housing rooted in community values and ancestral whenua.

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2508/S00105/iwi-led-initiative-to-add-39-more-homes-to-rotorua-affordable-housing-stock.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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