A major new housing development is under government review, and it could bring big changes to the western edge of Ōrewa.

Looking west from Grand View Drive, it used to be all open views.

But that outlook could soon be replaced by rooftops stretching as far as the eye can see to the west of the motorway.

The proposed Delmore development would see six large rural blocks near Upper Orewa Road transformed into a new residential community.

Developer Vineway submitted the plan on 3 May 2024 through the Government’s fast-track consenting process, which is designed to accelerate housing and infrastructure projects.

If approved, the development would be rolled out in five stages and include around 1,250 homes, along with parks, riverside walkways, and a new State Highway 1 interchange connecting Grand Drive with the Wainui area.

Photo: Ministry for the Environment

The land, currently rough pasture and former farmland, is zoned as Future Urban under Auckland’s Unitary Plan—so urban development was always a possibility.

Still, for many locals, the sheer scale of the project is a lot to take in.

What was once quiet, green space could soon be a bustling new suburb

At this stage, construction hasn’t started.

The application is with an expert panel for consideration, and locals will be keeping a close eye on what happens next.

If it does go ahead, the impact will reach well beyond the building sites.

Thousands of new residents will mean new pressures—on roads, schools, and services.

A new secondary school will be needed nearby.

More local jobs will be essential too, and attracting larger employers—perhaps even a mini-Silicon Valley with tech and AI leading the way—could help support the growing population.

For Ōrewa and the wider Hibiscus Coast, this isn’t just a development—it’s a shift that could reshape the community for decades to come.

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