Urban Development News from the media | 2 September 2025 | Submissions open on the draft GPS-HUD 2025

Submissions open on the draft GPS-HUD 2025

Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga opened consultation on the draft GPS-HUD 2025, setting long-term direction for housing and urban systems. Priorities include enabling growth (up and out), reforming the planning system, smarter investment for those most in need, improving construction sector competition, and strengthening rental markets. The GPS will align with resource management reform timelines and national direction changes. Sector feedback is explicitly sought on clarity, priorities, and statutory fit. Final publication is targeted for December 2025.

https://www.hud.govt.nz/news/submissions-open-on-the-draft-government-policy-statement-on-housing-and-urban-development-gps-hud-2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com

“Express lane” to boost supermarket competition progresses

The Government advanced an “express lane” consenting process to help new grocery entrants overcome planning bottlenecks and exclusive land covenants. The intent is to accelerate site acquisition and fit-outs for competitors to the duopoly. Ministers argue that more competition should pressure retail rents and consumer prices, and activate under-utilised commercial sites. The policy intersects with planning reform to enable mixed-use around centres. Industry and councils are preparing to align processes.

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/express-lane-new-supermarkets

Infrastructure Pipeline continues to grow

The latest quarterly update from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission shows that the value of infrastructure initiatives in the National Infrastructure Pipeline has grown to $237.1 billion, an increase of $30.2 billion over the past quarter, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says.

“This is great news for the construction sector and the wider economy,” Mr Bishop says.

“The Pipeline is managed by the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission and provides a national view of current and future infrastructure projects and programmes, from roads, to water infrastructure, to schools, and more, and includes central government, local government and private sector projects.

“The Pipeline now contains over 9,200 projects that are underway or being planned, helping New Zealand’s infrastructure construction sector plan ahead for major upcoming projects and hire and retain key staff in the right locations.

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/infrastructure-pipeline-continues-grow-1

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