Auckland Council looks to pull medium density housing rules, restrict development in flood zones

The draft plan change allows taller building heights for this land around the Maungawhau/Mt Eden Station. (Image: BusinessDesk)

Oliver Lewis

Tue, 19 Aug 2025

Auckland Council is proposing to downzone 12,000 properties to protect against natural hazards, opt out of a controversial suburban upzoning rule, and concentrate development around train stations and local centres.The Government passed the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act in Parliament last week.Among other things, it allows the Auckland Council to withdraw plan change 78 (PC78) and not apply the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) – a directive enabling three-storey building heights on most...

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