Urban Development News from the media | 6 October 2026 | Drury location confirmed for new hospital

Land secured for South Auckland hospital

Land has been secured for a future hospital facility on Karaka Road in Drury, marking a significant investment in the long-term healthcare needs of South Auckland's growing population, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

"South Auckland is one of the fastest-growing parts of New Zealand, and it's essential that our health infrastructure keeps pace with that growth," Mr Brown says.

"Securing this 13-hectare site in Drury gives us the opportunity to plan ahead and ensure we have the space needed for future health facilities that will serve local communities for decades to come.

"This lays the foundation for better access to healthcare and provides future generations with the infrastructure needed to support quality health services closer to home."

The $45.3 million site, purchased from Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, is located alongside the future Ngākōroa railway station and adjacent to State Highway 22, providing strong connections to public transport and key transport routes across the wider region.

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/land-secured-south-auckland-hospital

Simpler, lower-cost resource consent options launched for small projects in Auckland

People planning small-scale building projects may now find it quicker and more affordable to get resource consent, thanks to two new consent options introduced by Auckland Council.

The changes are designed to make it easier for customers with straightforward projects to apply for resource consent while helping the council process applications more efficiently.

Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, who chairs the council's Value for Money Committee, says Auckland Council is focused on making the process as simple and efficient as possible.

"Time is money and delay is cost," she says.

The two new options are:

• a specified consent for certain straightforward projects
• a Marginal or Temporary Permitted Activity Notice (MATPAN) for activities that only breach planning rules in a minor way or for a short period.

https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2026/10/simpler-lower-cost-resource-consent-options-launched-for-small-projects/

Rising interest rates and economic uncertainty are keeping buyers out of the housing market, ANZ NZ says

ANZ New Zealand's economists have warned a housing market slowdown is emerging as buyer demand fades.

"Buyer demand has faded as the year has progressed, with sales volumes trending down across all regions and average nationwide house prices now inching lower," the bank's economists say in their latest Property Focus report.

They point the finger at rising interest rates as the main culprit, although election uncertainty and broader economic factors have also contributed, the report says. ANZ NZ is the country's biggest housing lender, with total loans of nearly $118 billion as of June 30.

The ANZ economists are expecting interest rates to keep rising.

"Renewed global inflation pressures are now adding to the pressure [on the Reserve Bank] to hike [the Official Cash Rate]," the report says.

"We expect the Reserve Bank to deliver three more 25 basis point hikes, taking the OCR to 3.5%," it says.

The report says the biggest change in the housing market this year has been a reduction in buyer activity.

https://www.interest.co.nz/property/140462/rising-interest-rates-and-economic-uncertainty-are-keeping-buyers-out-housing

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