Auckland Mandates High-Density Housing Near CRL Stations in Major Urban Growth Push

Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown confirmed that the Government will introduce a crucial amendment to the Resource Management (Consenting and Other Matters) Amendment Bill.

In a landmark decision that is set to reshape Auckland’s urban form, the New Zealand Government has announced that it will require significantly increased housing density and development around key stations of the City Rail Link (CRL). The move aims to maximize the return on the $5 billion-plus investment into the CRL, a project heralded as transformative for New Zealand’s largest city.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown confirmed that the Government will introduce a crucial amendment to the Resource Management (Consenting and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. This amendment will intensify development expectations and ensure Auckland leverages the CRL’s economic potential as it nears completion and opening in 2026.

From Six Storeys to Skyscraper-Scale Development

Under current legislation, Auckland Council is required to permit at least six-storey buildings within a walkable radius of CRL stations such as Maungawhau (Mount Eden), Kingsland, and Morningside. However, the new changes will mandate even greater intensification:

• 15-storey minimum building allowances around Maungawhau, Kingsland, and Morningside stations.

• 10-storey minimum around Mt Albert and Baldwin Avenue stations — two key additions to the original list.

These requirements reflect a major upscaling in the Government’s urban growth policy and signal its commitment to tackling the housing crisis by enabling more homes in transit-accessible areas.

CRL as a Catalyst for Growth and Housing Supply

Minister Bishop emphasized the need to “get bang for buck” from the CRL project by ensuring the planning system enables the economic uplift associated with better transport. “This isn’t just about trains; it’s about unlocking the potential for more jobs, better connectivity, and thriving communities.”

The newly included Mt Albert and Baldwin Avenue stations were singled out as “ripe for development,” given their proximity to the Unitec campus and Mt Albert’s busy retail and café scene. These areas, the Government says, are ideal for higher-density housing, offering a strategic mix of student accommodation, community living, and local business growth.

Urban Planning Shift: PC78 Withdrawn for New Intensification Plan

The legislative changes are tied to Auckland Council’s withdrawal of its previous intensification plan change (PC78). A new plan change will be required by 10 October this year, incorporating the Government’s upzoning directives. Mayor Wayne Brown welcomed the clarity, saying, “Once this law is passed, we can get on with intensification,” and expressed optimism about coordinated growth in Auckland’s transport corridors and suburbs.

The upzoning aligns with the central government’s broader housing strategy of increasing supply where infrastructure already exists. Auckland, with its high growth potential, is now positioned as the pilot for this policy direction.

A Unified Vision for Auckland's Future

The announcement was made in the spirit of collaboration between central and local government, with both sides acknowledging each other's roles. Bishop extended thanks to Mayor Brown and Councillor Richard Hills for a “sensible and collaborative approach.”

Minister Brown added that the CRL is not just a transport initiative but a foundational pillar for Auckland’s urban evolution: “City Rail Link is a more than $5 billion investment in Auckland’s continued growth. Enabling greater housing intensification along this corridor will help us maximise the benefits of this investment and provide more homes in a city geared up for growth.”

 

This directive marks a significant policy shift in how New Zealand approaches housing and urban development. By connecting land-use planning to transport infrastructure investment, the Government is signaling a long-term commitment to smarter growth. With upzoning near CRL stations now mandated by law, Auckland is poised to become a denser, more vibrant, and economically productive metropolis.