Understanding Resource Consent Issues

The Building Research Association New Zealand has recently carried out research funded by the Building Research Levy, on better understanding resource consents issues in relation to medium density housing.

New Zealand, like many other countries around the world, is in the midst of a severe housing crisis. The crisis relates to a shortfall in absolute numbers, with Auckland having the highest number of people looking for housing, and to the housing choices that are made available to consumers.

A key contributor to the current situation is the ongoing reliance on the private market to deliver the housing that New Zealanders need. A number of sources have reported that the market’s ability to deliver housing is stifled, at least in part, by regulatory planning processes. Obtaining the necessary planning approvals to build medium-density housing where itis most appropriate and most needed has been described as difficult, expensive and time-consuming.

Much of this criticism appears to have been based on anecdotal advice and, in recent years, amendments have been made to streamline regulatory processes under the Resource Management Act. This research investigates practices around obtaining resource consents for medium density housing developments in New Zealand cities.