The Government has confirmed a streamlined process for Auckland’s new housing plan, Plan Change 120.

Auckland Council asked Parliament for the option to withdraw Plan Change 78 to avoid applying the Medium Density Residential Standards in some areas and to downzone places vulnerable to floods.

Ministers agreed and the Council has now withdrawn PC78.

The new plan must provide at least the same overall housing capacity as PC78 and enable greater building heights and housing density around key stations that will benefit from the City Rail Link when it opens next year.

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said the shift returns choices to residents.

“By giving Auckland Council the option to withdraw PC78, we’ve returned decision-making to locals. Aucklanders will once again decide how and where housing growth happens in this important city for New Zealand’s future.”

PC120 will proceed under the Streamlined Planning Process over 20 months.

Public submissions open Monday, November 3, 2025, and close Friday, December 19, 2025.

Hearings will be held in 2026 before a panel of eight to nine members, with four appointed by Ministers and the remainder by the Council.

Ministers are working with the Council on who the Council will appoint as Chair. A friend-of-submitter service will be available to help people engage with the plan change.

The panel and Council are asked to consider whether any provisions unduly frustrate development, to test the distribution of housing capacity across the city including greenfield development, and to check that all planned rapid transit stops have been identified, including the Northwest Busway.

The Government declined the Council’s request to remove the greenfield reference.

For the Hibiscus Coast, the submissions window is the practical moment to weigh in on housing capacity and transport-linked density that could affect commuting patterns and local centres.

The direction takes effect on the date it is published in the New Zealand Gazette.

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