Western Bay of Plenty Deal signed to unlock long term growth
On May 14, 2026, the central government and the Western Bay of Plenty sub-region signed a historic 10-year "Regional Deal" designed to coordinate future growth infrastructure investment across transport, housing, health, and education. Signed by Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, Minister for RMA Reform Chris Bishop, and Minister of Local Government Simon Watts, the deal marks a long-term partnership commitment with Tauranga City, Western Bay of Plenty District, and Bay of Plenty Regional councils. Total investment under the 10-year deal is projected to exceed $4 billion, utilising both existing and new funding and financing mechanisms.
For the property and development sector, this deal is a monumental step forward in providing long-term certainty for land supply and infrastructure delivery in one of the country's fastest-growing sub-regions. The deal focuses immediately on unlocking housing in key growth corridors, including the eastern corridor (Te Tumu, Rangiuru, and Te Puke), northern corridor (Ōmokoroa and Katikati), and western corridor (Tauriko West and Keenan Road). Crucially, the deal will fast-track major transport projects like the Takitimu North Link Stage 2 and explore alternative funding models for critical waters infrastructure under the government's 'Waters Done Well' framework, directly enabling major residential subdivisions to proceed.
Additionally, the agreement sets up a joint independent planning group between the Crown and regional authorities to align spatial planning with the sub-region's economic needs. This strategic alignment, combined with planned redevelopments of Tauranga Hospital and localized transport improvements, represents a shift away from piecemeal developer-led infrastructure requests toward highly coordinated, state-supported urban growth corridors.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/western-bay-plenty-deal-signed-unlock-long-term-growth
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Property Council's Budget 2026 Wishlist: The settings New Zealand needs for growth
On May 13, 2026, the Property Council of New Zealand released its formal advocacy wishlist for the upcoming Budget 2026, calling for practical and targeted measures to stimulate housing supply, unlock investment, and support infrastructure delivery. With construction activity slowing down, CBD vacancies remaining elevated, and councils facing mounting rates pressures, the Council argues that the government must establish the "right settings" to encourage build-to-rent (BTR) projects, share GST revenue on new builds with local councils, and support building seismic resilience.
A major focus for developers and long-term investors is the Council’s push to align Build to Rent (BTR) assets with standard institutional commercial properties. Specifically, they have asked the government to expand the "Investment Boost" framework—which allows an immediate 20% tax deduction for new depreciable assets—to include BTR developments, proposing a minimum five-year ownership period to prevent quick flipping. This mechanism aims to scale professional, long-term rental housing, offering a stable and institutional grade asset class that has lagged in New Zealand compared to international peers.
Furthermore, the wishlist highlights structural fiscal incentives such as GST sharing on new home construction to directly encourage local councils to enable housing development and fund critical local infrastructure. Reinstating tax depreciation for commercial buildings and introducing seismic upgrade incentives are also recommended to help improve the financial feasibility of urban refurbishments, green retrofits, and hazard management, presenting vital opportunities for commercial developers navigating high operating costs.
https://www.propertynz.co.nz/news/property-councils-budget-2026-wishlist-the-settings-new-zealand-needs-for-growth
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Auckland Council Prepares New Unrestricted Submissions Round for Plan Change 120
Auckland Council has confirmed that an additional, unrestricted round of public submissions will open later this year for Plan Change 120 (Auckland's Future Housing Plan), following April 2026 legislation that reduced the city's mandatory housing capacity requirement to 1.4 million homes. Because the council is actively exploring amendments through June and July to adapt to this lower target, central government has waived the standard Resource Management Act "further submissions" restrictions. This means anyone will be able to submit fresh feedback on any aspect of the plan, rather than being limited to supporting or opposing previously raised matters.
For the property sector, Plan Change 120 completely pivots the city's development framework by replacing the withdrawn Plan Change 78 and its blanket three-storey zoning. The new rules force a highly targeted approach: enabling massive intensification (up to 15 storeys) around key Western Line rail stations and walkable catchments, while heavily down-zoning areas susceptible to floods, landslides, and coastal erosion. Developers looking at vulnerable land will now face strict "non-complying" activity statuses and rigorous new risk assessments, effectively reverting those areas to single-house zoning and making feasibility hurdles significantly higher.
The upcoming submission window represents a critical final opportunity for developers and property owners to contest "qualifying matters" and proposed zoning maps before an Independent Hearings Panel evaluates the plan. With the entire process mandated for completion by mid-2027, firms must use this period to ensure their land banks align with the upcoming transit-oriented height allowances or risk being stranded with heavily restricted assets in newly designated hazard zones.
https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/aucklands-future-housing-plan
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