Rezoning

All cities have a District Plan made up of different zones that determine the main land use in that area, for example: Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Rural. Over the next year a number of areas in and around our city will be rezoned to change the way they can be used. This page explains why we are making these changes and will provide links to more information as work on rezoning begins.

We need more homes

Our city is currently going through the highest rate of population and economic growth since the 1970s. While this is great news, more people wanting to live and do business here is pushing up the demand for housing, which means we need more services and infrastructure.

To continue our positive growth, we need to make more housing options available for new residents and those already here. Increasing supply helps keep Palmy an affordable market to both buy and rent in. 

We’re using what we already have

The size of the average household will likely shrink over the next 30 years, increasing the need for smaller houses. We’re working on ways to give landowners more options to make use of, and money from, their land.

Part of our strategy is to make better use of Palmy’s existing footprint. We can do this by building upwards and making better use of under-utilised land in the city. It’s also a way of growing sustainably, using existing resources while keeping people close to local hubs and transport options.

We’ll be freeing up more land to build on

The amount of housing needed over the next 30 years will require some development on the outskirts of our current city boundaries. Through careful planning of things like having shops and schools and parks nearby we can make sure new residential areas are sustainably designed.

Our District Plan also protects soil that is considered high class, and great for growing food. This means housing will not go in these vital areas.

Rezoning is happening in a number of locations

Rezoning has recently taken place in parts of Whakarongo and along Napier Road. More will begin in 2022-23 at Aokautere, Ashhurst, Roxburgh Crescent and Kākātangiata, which is by Pioneer Highway. These areas are highlighted in orange below. A private plan change is currently under consideration at Whiskey Creek, near Cloverlea.

It won’t happen all at once

Rezoning land is a complex process which takes a lot of work from technical experts in planning, transport, ecology, flooding, stormwater, geotechnical, water infrastructure, cultural, heritage, economics, urban design and landscape architecture. It can take years; with many things we need to consider.

While rezoning can provide options for housing growth, it’s up to the landowners to choose whether or not to divide or sell their land in the future. Individual and large-scale housing developers will play a part in Palmy’s growth, meaning we’re not likely to experience a whole lot of construction all at once. Some houses may be ready in just a few years, others may not come online for another 30. Rezoning can provide the opportunity, but the market will ultimately drive the outcome.