Unlocking Auckland city centre after City Rail Link
New Zealand ministers and Auckland’s mayor propose removing planning restrictions in the city centre to unlock housing, jobs and growth following the City Rail Link opening.
The government has opened public consultation on proposals to remove planning rules in Auckland’s city centre, including height limits, tower dimensions and floor area ratios, to enable more housing and business development. The changes aim to capitalise on the City Rail Link’s opening by allowing greater density near transport infrastructure. Officials say the city centre already contributes significantly to New Zealand’s economy and jobs, and further growth is possible with updated planning rules.
Auckland’s city centre accounts for around eight per cent of New Zealand’s GDP and nearly six per cent of the country’s jobs, making it the fifth-largest economy if treated as a region. The government’s report recommends removing constraints that limit development, including setback rules and heritage protections for non-contributing sites on Karangāhape Road. The proposals follow an investigation into whether planning rules were restricting growth in the central city.
The changes would be implemented using new regulation-making powers under the Resource Management Act, first used last year to enable more events at Eden Park. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown supports the proposals, stating they will help intensify development in areas with existing infrastructure like the City Rail Link. He also highlights the need to remove seismic constraints and other planning controls to facilitate growth.
Public consultation on the proposed changes will run from 18 September to 16 October 2026. The government will consider feedback alongside the investigation findings and Auckland Council’s views before deciding whether to proceed with changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan. Aucklanders, particularly those living or working in the city centre, are encouraged to participate in the consultation process.