Government announcement
15 March 2022
Housing Minister Hon. Megan Woods
Environment Minister Hon. David Parker
New measure to boost housing supply in Rotorua Lakes District
Rotorua Lakes Council is to join the Tier 1 major urban centres covered by the medium density residential standards (MDRS) in a move that will significantly increase housing supply in the Rotorua Lakes District.
Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods and Environment Minister David Parker announced the move today following a request from Rotorua Lakes Council and its partners Te Arawa Lakes Trust and Te Tatau o Te Arawa.
Rotorua has recently experienced strong population increases, but housing supply has not kept pace – meaning many residents have been locked out of affordable home ownership and rental properties.
“The MDRS means up to three homes of up to three storeys each will be able to be built on most residential sites without requiring a resource consent,” David Parker said.
“This allows for a greater variety of housing close to jobs, transport and community facilities – the places people want to be.”
Rotorua Lakes Council will now need to update their district plans to align with the medium density residential standards (MDRS) and National Policy Statement on Urban Development.
“The housing situation in Rotorua needs urgent attention, so we are delighted to see Rotorua Lakes Council proactively addressing its planning rules,” Megan Woods said.
“Including Rotorua Lakes Council under these regulations will significantly increase the number of houses that can be built in the city.”
“This is a welcome step as part of all the work underway to build more housing for Rotorua and remove some of the barriers that have been in the way,” Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick said.
“The decision to seek Rotorua’s inclusion in this legislation was unanimously supported by our elected members who all recognise the acute housing needs in our district.”
Some of the new rules which implement the MDRS will be in place from August 2022, while others which require more consideration under the National Policy Statement on Urban Development will come into effect in late 2023.
The Government has a partnership in Rotorua with the council, iwi and service providers to jointly coordinate work to alleviate the city’s housing shortage.
Statement from Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick and Housing Portfolio Lead Councillor Tania Tapsell
Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
“This is a very welcome step as part of all the work underway to get more housing for Rotorua and remove barriers to achieving that,” Mayor Steve Chadwick says.
“Seeking Rotorua’s inclusion in the Housing Supply Bill was unanimously supported by our elected members because we all recognise, as has Government, the acute need we have in our district.”
Mayor Chadwick says Rotorua’s Housing and Business Assessment confirms the district’s housing deficit is severe – a shortage of 1890 homes in the short term (including unmet demand of 1500), a shortage of 1400 in the medium term (including the unmet demand) and 3630 in the long term.
“We need to act now to respond to that demand – and we are – but we’ve always said we can’t do it alone. We need a collaborative approach and all available tools and options at our disposal to achieve the housing outcomes our community needs and the Bill will enable us to move at pace on intensification.
“It won’t be intensification at any cost. Design guides and a Future Development Strategy will help protect and enhance what we love about our city and working alongside our Te Arawa partners, to understand and realise iwi aspirations, will ensure cultural values and principles underpin our conversations about growth.”
Rotorua Councillor Tania Tapsell – Housing Portfolio Lead:
Rotorua Councillor Tania Tapsell who is the Council’s elected member lead on the housing portfolio, says housing intensification will unlock affordable options for people.
“The Act allows us to optimise land that is available to build much-needed options like 1-2 bedroom units. Supporting this is the best thing we can do to remove costly barriers and the time it takes to build as we’ll be able to streamline consenting processes.
“An overhaul of the old rules and processes was well overdue and this is a big step in the right direction for the future of our growing city.
“I’m excited for the opportunities this will open up for our local families to build their own homes or another dwelling on their property. This is the boost of hope that the many people priced out of the housing market have been waiting for.
FAQs -
Further information:
- Tier 1 councils currently in the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act include: Auckland Council, Hamilton City Council, Waikato District Council, Waipā District Council, Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District council, Wellington City Council, Porirua City Council, Hutt City Council, Upper Hutt City Council, Kāpiti Coast District Council, Christchurch City Council, Selwyn District Council, Waimakariri District Council
- More information on the Ministry for the Environment website: National policy statement on urban development | Ministry for the Environment
- An A3 infographic explaining the National Policy Statement – Urban Design is on the Ministry for the Environment website:
- A3 graphic on the NPS-UD 2020