7 July 2026: Hunt Farm, pensioner housing

Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)

Topic: Hunt Farm development potential

Enquiry

I'm writing a story about Hunts Farm going on the market which Bayleys says has the potential to be developed into 400+ homes.

I'd be interested in a response from the council to the below questions:

• Was this Pukehangi Heights Plan Change referred to in this council media release in 2020 applicable to this piece of land?
• If so, could you please confirm the previous zoning of this land was rural before it was rezoned to residential and rural residential?
• What work has been done so far to enable Hunts Farm to be fit for development?
• What consent work is currently under way?

How could this development help address the forecasted housing need of more than 9700 homes in the next 30 years in the Rotorua Future Development Strategy?

Please feel free to add anything further of importance or relevance.

Response

From Group Manager - Destination Development Jean-Paul Gaston:

Yes. Hunt Farm is located within the Plan Change 2 (Pukehangi Heights) development area.

Prior to Plan Change 2, the land was zoned Rural 1. The plan change enabled residential and rural residential development within the area.

Rotorua Lakes Council has undertaken a range of planning, infrastructure and consenting work to support future development in the Pukehāngi Heights area, particularly around the provision of stormwater networks to reduce flooding risks and enable future housing development.

This includes:

• Approval of Plan Change 2 (Pukehāngi Heights), which enables residential development in the area.
• Development of stormwater planning and management frameworks for the wider Plan Change 2 area.
• Progression of a stormwater discharge consent covering the entire Plan Change 2 area, which is required under the plan change provisions.
• Ongoing engagement with landowners and developers as development planning progresses.

Rotorua Lakes Council is progressing a stormwater discharge consent for the entire Plan Change 2 area. Under the plan change provisions, Council is responsible for obtaining this consent. The application is expected to be lodged with Bay of Plenty Regional Council in August.

The development forms part of the wider Pukehangi Heights growth area. The development has the potential to make a significant contribution towards meeting the future housing demand in Rotorua, while supporting economic and population growth in the city. The Hunt Farm makes up half of one of only two greenfield development areas in Rotorua.

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Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Pensioner Housing

Enquiry

Reporter sought clarifications to last week's enquiry regarding Lucas Place pensioner housing:

I have a few things to clarify if possible.

A response by the end of today would be great.

1. Are the seven Tenancy Tribunal applications all from Lucas Place, if not, can you break down where they are from?

Approximately when were Lucas Place tenants first advised redevelopment was being explored?

Response

The following information was provided:

As this matter is currently before the Tenancy Tribunal, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further or provide a breakdown at this stage.

As previously advised, Emerge Aotearoa began engaging with tenants in late 2025, with individual one-on-one discussions arranged at times that suited each tenant.