Urban Development News from the media | 13 October 2026 | Auckland Council Limits Assessment Criteria for Residential Developments

Auckland Council Limits Assessment Criteria for Residential Developments

The government has passed two new acts that will eventually replace the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) in the biggest change to New Zealand’s planning system in decades. 

The Planning Act 2026 and Natural Environment Act 2026 came into effect on 30 September 2026.  

The Planning Act made amendments to the RMA and other legislation. The amendments set out what the council must disregard when considering the effects of residential activities under a district plan.  

This can have an impact on whether or not a resource consent is required. If a resource consent is required, it can impact what the council can assess as part of the resource consent application.  

What has changed for residential activities?

From 30 October, when the council assesses applications for houses and residential developments, it cannot take certain matters into account (except where they relate to protecting historic heritage). This includes:  

• the outdoor living space
• the internal layout 
• the presence or absence of balconies
• the area of glazing
• the size of a residential unit
• the size of landscaped areas (except in relation to permeability) 

This limits what the council can assess and require compliance with. It means the council can no longer make sure housing developments meet the rules that have applied in the past.  

Auckland Council has started to develop the methodology for identifying the provisions that need to be removed or modified in the Auckland Unitary Plan and Hauraki Gulf Islands District Plan, so property owners and resource consent applicants have certainty on what the council can and cannot consider.  

https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2026/10/rm-reform/

Strategic plan sets direction for Queenstown transport

A 30-year strategic plan released today by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will help focus ongoing investment in Queenstown’s transport infrastructure into the right areas, at the right time and help keep people moving, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“Queenstown is growing quickly, and its transport network needs to keep pace. It’s a world-class destination with strong demand from people wanting to live, visit, and do business, with peak-day population expected to grow from around 83,000 in 2025 to around 143,000 by 2055,” Mr Bishop says.

“That growth will create enormous pressure on the transport network and meeting it will require a more integrated approach than simply adding road capacity. Queenstown’s lakes, rivers, and mountains, also create real physical constraints to what we can build, so we need to invest smartly and be open to innovative options."

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/strategic-plan-sets-direction-queenstown-transport

Planning changes to support Wellington’s growth

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed a package of changes to Wellington’s district plan following an investigation into heritage planning provisions affecting five key sites.

The changes follow an investigation under the Resource Management Act 1991 into planning provisions affecting five Wellington sites, public consultation, consideration of Wellington City Council’s response, and advice on the heritage and economic implications of the options.

Following an investigation and consultation process, the Government will progress changes affecting the Courtenay Place Heritage Area, the Karori Tunnel, the Kelburn Viaduct and the Miramar oil tank.

Cabinet has also decided that the heritage listing for the former General Headquarters Building at 213A Taranaki Street will remain in place.

The changes will remove the heritage listings from the Karori Tunnel, Kelburn Viaduct and the former Miramar Installation Bulk Storage Tank. Height limits applying to non-heritage buildings within the Courtenay Place Heritage Area will also be modified to better enable development.

https://www.rmla.org.nz/news/planning-changes-to-support-wellingtons-growth

📰 Subscribe to this newsletter 📰

📒 Check out our complementary practice notes 📒