In recent years, there has been a real shift in the policy
framework around residential development. Recent changes in this
space were intended to make the process for subdividing and
building residential dwellings consistent across the country.
The National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity 2016
was the first 'national direction' around urban development
and shone a spotlight on those urban centres where growth was at
its highest - think Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, and
Christchurch. This policy statement was swiftly replaced by the
National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 following a
change of Government.
Councils in these high growth areas were required to respond
quickly; identifying land for residential (and business)
development that could be supported with the necessary
infrastructure - not just in the short to medium term but,
importantly, in the long term.
