Auckland’s Plan Change 78: In defence of the villa amid urban intensification push

Ponsonby is a perfect example of villas as far as the eye can see. (Image: Alex Burton)

Tue, 22 Apr 2025

Unless you are a planning nerd or need a cure for insomnia, the long-running saga of Auckland’s Plan Change 78 will have escaped your notice.Yet this arcane urban intensification instrument has far-reaching implications for our biggest city's future shape and liveability.PC78 is Auckland Council’s (AC) response to central government demands that local authorities free up extra capacity for residential and commercial development in their areas.However, since AC notified the plan change in 2022, seven worlds of natural disasters a...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Property

Townhouse sold for $275k profit in three weeks

The sale is one of a number involving a Barfoots agent and a property flipper.

Maria Slade 5:00am

Law & Regulation

Bronwyn Heenan: Navigating workplace romance

Romantic work relationships involve difficult conversations that should be had.

Bronwyn Heenan 5:00am

Markets

Why IkeGPS is amped to win in the US

Multibillion-dollar infrastructure spend is significant tailwind for Colorado-based firm.

Rebecca Stevenson 5:00am

Sponsored

Ready for the C-Suite leap?

Part-time programme. Full-time leadership transformation.

University of Auckland Business School

Sponsored

Active beats passive in tough times

Agile investing responds faster to market shocks and shifts.

Milford

More Property

Property

Townhouse sold for $275k profit in three weeks

The sale is one of a number involving a Barfoots agent and a property flipper.

Maria Slade 5:00am

Property

Summerset launches $100m bond offer

Summerset Group has launched a six-year bond offer to fund the repayment of previously issued debt. The retirement village and aged care company told the market on Monday that it is raising up to $100 million, with the potential to accept an additional $50m in oversubscriptions. ...

Staff reporters 12 May 2025