Why New Zealand Must Legalise Density

My submission to Parliament’s Environment Committee on the urgent bipartisan housing bill which would significantly expand allowable density in New Zealand’s cities.

I submitted to Parliament in support of the bipartisan housing bill proposed by the Government and Oppposition, which would significantly limit councils’ ability to restrict density in New Zealand cities. I submitted in favour of this bill and made a series of suggestions to improve it:

• A recommendation that the Bill provide councils with fiscal incentives to encourage construction and fund infrastructure growth.
• A recommendation that the Bill remove limitations on building which are not explicitly aimed at reducing the external costs of densification.
• A recommendation that the Bill require councils to consent ‘mixed-use’ developments which retain a broadly-residential character.
• A recommendation that the Bill create a right for property owners to increase allowable building on their street beyond planned levels through a street-by-street voting process (street votes).

You can find the text of my submission here and the video of my oral submission here.