15137 (2025). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Minister of Housing

15137 (2025). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Minister of Housing: What advice, if any, has the Minister received regarding the impact of making the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) optional on housing supply in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch?

Hon Chris Bishop: I have received a range of advice since December 2023 on the Government’s Going for Housing Growth programme, including proposals to make the MDRS optional. The following advice has included reference to MDRS optionality and development capacity in Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch: • 2 February 2024 - Going for Housing Growth work programme and initial decisions on Housing Growth Targets and Medium Density Residential Standards • 22 February 2024 - Christchurch City Council Plan Change Extension Request – Next Steps • 17 June 2024- Further information on aspects of Going for Housing Growth • 16 December 2024 - Aide Memoire: Auckland Council Intensification Planning Instrument: Process for withdrawal • 28 January 2025 - Policy decisions taken on Going for Housing Growth and advice on Auckland Council • 19 March 2025 - Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill - Further Housing, Infrastructure and Energy policy approvals for the Departmental Report Most councils that were required to progress Intensification Planning Instruments (IPIs) to give effect to the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 and implement the Medium Density Residential Standards, have completed these. Twelve councils have completed their IPIs, while Waimakariri District, Christchurch City, and Auckland Councils have IPIs still in progress. Waikato District and Christchurch City Councils have rejected some recommendations from their Independent Hearings Panels regarding their IPIs, and these have now been referred to me for a decision