Auckland housing

Having previously sacked an elected council in Canterbury, introduced dictatorial powers in Christchurch and ridden roughshod over democratic procedures in other areas, there is concern that the government will override the Auckland Council in the area of housing

More dictatorial powers?

Tensions rise over Auckland housing land supply

Weasel words from minister, Nick Smith

Radio NZ,

21 March, 2013

There's a growing belief within Auckland Council the Government intends to make its own moves to free up land for new housing.

Senior council figures say they are perplexed at repeated comments by cabinet ministers in Parliament which they say misrepresent the problem and overlook the council's solutions.

Minister of Housing Nick Smith has again told Parliament the council must free up sufficient land for housing to take pressure out of the market, and make homes more affordable.

Dr Smith says there are not enough sections ready for houses to be built on immediately, though council and government officials agree that three years supply of land that is ready to subdivide is available.

The council says the answers to land supply are contained within its 30 year blueprint, the Unitary Plan, which has just gone out for consultation.

Dr Smith has previously flagged the possibility of intervention to speed up land rezoning, but the council says that would be meaningless without new infrastructure to service it.

The minister says he will be visiting Auckland on Monday to meet council leaders, as part of what he calls constructive work between the Government and the council.