Urban Development News from the media | 25 August 2026 | Achieving competitive urban land markets in new system

Achieving competitive urban land markets in new system

The government will establish an independent economic umpire to ensure councils achieve competitive urban land markets through the new planning system, Housing and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and RMA Reform Under-Secretary Simon Court say.

An amendment paper to the Government’s Planning Bill will establish the role of an independent Urban Land Market Officer to determine whether urban land markets are competitive, to monitor and report on land market performance, and to advise central government and councils on actions to increase competitiveness.

“For too long, the Resource Management Act (RMA) has acted as a handbrake on growth and opportunity. It is directly responsible for New Zealand’s housing crisis by limiting the supply of urban land and housing – driving up costs for New Zealanders,” Mr Bishop says.

“Our new planning system will deliver the most significant pro-housing reforms in a generation. It will give homeowners more freedom and give prospective homeowners and renters more choice. It will also speed up consenting and create clear and consistent rules across the country. Additionally, private plan change requests will be made much easier.

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/achieving-competitive-urban-land-markets-new-system

Auckland Council is taking back control of transport

Aucklanders may have heard Auckland Council is taking back control of transport. 
That means change is coming on 1 October when the elected members Aucklanders voted for, take charge of our city’s roads.

We want early wins on the board - and that’s where Aucklanders come in. Every day, you tell us about the same frustrating transport problems. Traffic backed up because parked cars block a lane. A set of traffic lights that keeps everyone waiting. Confusing road markings. A poorly designed intersection. Short stretches of road where buses and carpoolers get stuck for no good reason.

These aren't billion-dollar, gold-plated projects. They're the everyday issues that make every journey slower, more stressful and more frustrating than it needs to be. The good news?  Many of them can be fixed quickly.

https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2026/08/quick-fixes/

Kmart to open largest New Zealand store next month

Department chain store Kmart is set to open its largest New Zealand store next month, which will trade 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The store at Westgate Town Centre in Auckland will open on Thursday, September 10, bringing its Plan C+ store format to New Zealand for the first time.

Kmart says the Plan C+ format combines “refreshed store layouts, enhanced product coordination, new service options and technology to make shopping simpler and more convenient for customers”.

The new store will be the largest Kmart in New Zealand, at 6700 square metres, and will trade 24 hours a day, creating 200 new jobs.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/361022503/kmart-open-largest-new-zealand-store-next-month

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