Council Decides Principles for Plan Change 120 Review

Another Auckland Council meeting, another long, loud howl over housing in Parnell

After the marathon meeting finally ended, the mayor accused one councillor of using it as ‘one long filibuster to keep poor people out of her area’. When the government’s efforts to intensify Auckland were debated at council back in August last year, critics took turns wringing their hands about the strain it would place on infrastructure. Plan Change 120 could end up putting apartments in places that weren’t set up to handle them, they fretted.…

Council decides principles for Plan Change 120 review

“I want growth that brings people together rather than pitting generations of Aucklanders against one another. I want growth that stops the eternal commute,” says Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown. Photo supplied The Auckland Council says its policy, planning and development committee has agreed on principles to guide how Plan Change 120 (PC120) could be amended. The move follows the Government announcing it will reduce Auckland’s required housing capa…

More intensification in Auckland? Yes Please

The following is an op-ed I wrote which ran in the Sunday Star Times and The Post on March 8th 2026. Yesterday, Auckland Council agreed on principles to guide a review of PC120 after the government amended the plan. Everyone agrees we need more housing in Auckland, and that it’s best located near transport options, and places people work, study and shop. This is precisely the point of Plan Change 120 (aka PC120): as well as restricting developme…