Over the next 30 years, Auckland Council’s future-focused plans will shape our region to work better for everyone.
By enabling diverse housing choices near jobs, schools, and transport, improving daily connections, and investing in infrastructure that supports new communities, we are building a sustainable, accessible Auckland that benefits all residents today and for generations to come.
Learning From the Past
Trams lining Queen Street in 1940, a markedly different scene than what was to come in the 1970s. Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 7-A816
In the early 20th century, Auckland thrived on extensive tram and train networks, connecting walkable neighbourhoods where homes, shops, schools, and workplaces were within easy reach. These close-knit communities made it simple for people to live near life’s daily essentials while relying on public transport.
By the 1950s, everything changed. Influenced by American-style urban planning, Auckland shifted its focus to cars. Public funds poured into expanding roads and motorways, while public transport was neglected. Trams were scrapped, trains sidelined, and housing policies favoured suburban expansion with detached homes on larger lots.
The city grew outwards, stretching infrastructure thin and increasing commute times.
This shift had lasting consequences. Town centres declined as people moved further away, while unplanned sprawl led to worsening congestion and rising infrastructure costs.
By the 1970s, Auckland had become one of the world’s most spread-out cities, grappling with the impacts of rapid suburban growth and missed opportunities for a more connected, efficient, and sustainable future.
"I can get around without needing to buy my own car. I can go almost anywhere by bus, train, or ferry if I want, and that flexibility makes life without a car really easy." – Dan, apartment resident in Auckland
A Future-Focused Plan
Today, Auckland Council is addressing this costly legacy with a bold, future-focused approach. In 2016, we made bold changes to the city's planning rules, boosting housing capacity driving a surge in new homes, greater housing choices, and improved affordability.
"Auckland's future-focused planning prioritises housing near public transport hubs, making daily commutes easier, reducing traffic, and supporting a more sustainable city
These changes are already reshaping Auckland, enabling more homes where people want to live – near public transport, town centres, and jobs. This helps improve transport options while safeguarding what makes Auckland special—its natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and unique neighbourhoods.
Between 2017 and 2022, around 97,000 new homes were approved for construction. Without our plans, that number would have been only about 43,900—meaning far fewer housing options for Aucklanders. This means our focus on more housing led to 50% more homes built than would have otherwise been possible.
"The evidence clearly shows that upzoning for greater housing capacity has generated significant positive outcomes, including substantially more new homes and improved housing and rental affordability." — Gary Blick, Auckland Council Chief Economist
Our current plans enable one million or more potential new homes in existing urban areas—mostly near public transport, town centres, and jobs—far exceeding the 240,000 homes expected to be needed over the next 30 years. This ensures Auckland grows sustainably while meeting the needs of future generations.
While more than 80% of new housing is focused in urban areas where existing infrastructure supports them, we balance this with some new development at the city’s edges, when essential infrastructure like transport, stormwater, parks, and community facilities, can be funded and built.
Take Hobsonville, once a former airfield, it is now a thriving community with thousands of homes, schools, parks, and community hubs. Public transport connects residents to key employment areas in Westgate, Albany, Takapuna, and the City Centre.
Similarly, new areas in Redhills, Whenuapai, Westgate, and Drury are set to accommodate around 60,000 homes in the coming decades accompanied by infrastructure that creates well-connected communities.
“I pretty much exclusively commute to work on my e-bike. I love it because I get a bit of exercise, fresh air, and arrive feeling fresh—it's so much better than having a coffee in the morning.” – Greer, sharing a flat in Grey Lynn
What Aucklanders want
Why are we doing this? Because Aucklanders have asked for more new homes and housing choices in urban areas close to services, with less unplanned sprawl.
Public feedback shows 74% want more housing choices near town centres, where jobs, education, shops, and parks are easier to reach by walking, cycling, and public transport.
Aucklanders value living near parks and community hubs, where walking and cycling connect them to daily needs and vibrant neighbourhoods.
And we’ve listened. Around 45 per cent of Auckland’s population is within walking distance of a frequent public transport route, meaning people can benefit from easier access to the facilities and services they use every day.
Our plans are helping to protect Auckland’s productive farmland and natural landscapes, ensuring housing growth doesn’t come at the expense of our food security, rural industries, or the region’s natural beauty.
Housing Choices in the Right Places
Focusing on housing choices near transport, shop, schools, and jobs allows Aucklanders to live closer to what matters—cutting commutes, reducing transport costs, and freeing up more time for family, friends, and community activities. Fewer cars on the road also means less traffic, cleaner air, and safer streets.
Key urban areas like New Lynn, Manukau, and Takapuna are seeing focused development to ensure residents benefit from connected, well-serviced communities, prioritising housing in places with existing infrastructure to make daily life easier.
"Every facility's just down the road—my doctor, my chemist, the supermarket. It’s incredible to be able to walk to everything within five minutes." – Barbara, city centre resident
Modern Auckland neighbourhoods reflect the benefits of thoughtful planning, connecting homes, jobs, and transport.
This supports diverse housing needs: offering older Aucklanders options to downsize, younger people to live near education, and families to be close to schools, parks, and childcare. Housing isn’t ‘one-size-fits-all,’ so providing a variety of choices ensures there’s something for everyone.
These choices also benefit local businesses by increasing customers and jobs, while boosting productivity for businesses, like trades and freight, reliant on efficient transport by reducing congestion—currently costing Auckland up to $1 billion each year.
More Affordable and Accessible
Providing more of something that people want means prices come down, that’s supply and demand. Many Aucklanders are choosing to live closer to jobs, amenities, and transport, preferences that are driving demands for multi-unit housing in accessible urban locations.
By enabling more new homes and offering diverse housing choices in such desirable locations it helps to improve Auckland’s housing and rental affordability.
“With apartment living, we meet a lot more people. There’s always places to go—cafes, parks, or community gardens—and it’s easy to budget without car costs.” – Dan, apartment resident in Auckland
Auckland’s rental and house prices has risen more slowly than in the rest of New Zealand. From 2017 to 2024, average Auckland rents increased by around $133, compared to Wellington’s $157, Tauranga’s $228, and $175 nationally.
Without our plans boosting urban housing supply, rents in Auckland would have been approximately 27 per cent higher by 2022.
Infrastructure Where It Benefits People
Creating thriving neighbourhoods requires more than just housing—it requires thoughtful planning and investment in infrastructure to support daily life.
On the other hand, unplanned suburban sprawl doesn’t equal cheaper housing. The real costs of adding new infrastructure aren’t always considered when undeveloped land is valued or when developers decide to build.
That’s why Auckland Council is prioritising infrastructure investments where they make the biggest difference. Over the next 30 years, we’re investing $8.9 billion in growing communities like Mt Roskill, Māngere, and Drury to ensure they have the transport, parks, and services people rely on every day.
Infrastructure is being prioritised in areas where growth is already happening and it benefits the most people, paving the way for new homes, climate resilience, and improved water quality.
This means focusing on areas where growth is already happening, making it cost-effective to deliver services and ensuring the most people benefit.
The City Rail Link will provide more trains, more often and the Eastern Busway will carry 18,000 passengers per day by 2028. This will transform travel and connect Aucklanders to jobs, education, and leisure faster and more efficiently, making it easier to live near rapid transit routes.
“It’s about 20 minutes for me to walk to work, and everything I need—my doctor, my chemist, the supermarket—is just down the road. I don’t need a car anymore.” – Barbara, city centre resident
By aligning new developments with infrastructure in these areas, we reduce the need for costly expansions to developments on the city’s edges. This approach builds vibrant, well-connected communities while protecting ratepayers and ensuring resources are used wisely.
A Healthier and More Resilient City
More housing doesn’t mean Auckland has to become a concrete jungle. That’s why we’re committed to creating parks, playgrounds, and restoring natural habitats as the city grows. These efforts ensure that new developments contribute to a greener, more sustainable Auckland.
Places like Barry Curtis Park in Ormiston—the largest city park in 100 years— support both 7,000 new homes and restores streams and gullies to help manage stormwater. Similarly, Te Ara Awataha greenway in Northcote connects schools, homes, and the town centre while creating habitats for bird and wildlife. These projects promote well-being by providing access to nature and fostering healthier neighbourhoods.
Parks, playgrounds and green spaces are important for communities in large housing developments providing places for family, friends, and even neighbours to gather, play, and enjoy nature
Aucklanders overwhelmingly support nature-based infrastructure to address climate challenges. So, we’re planting more trees, restoring rivers and streams, and delivering blue-green stormwater solutions to manage rainfall and reduce flooding. For example, Greenslade Reserve in Northcote collects enough stormwater to fill five Olympic-sized pools, protecting nearby homes from flooding.
"One of the ‘hacks’ for living more sustainably is having less house—you use less energy, and we don’t use almost any heating, even in winter." – Greer, sharing a flat in Grey Lynn
We’re also strengthening planning rules to protect people and property from hazards. By limiting development in risky areas and ensuring new housing can withstand the impacts of climate change, we’re building a safer, more resilient Auckland for everyone.
Shaping a Better Future for Auckland
Auckland’s future-focused plan isn't just about fixing today's challenges—it's about building a better future for everyone.
The choices we make today will have lasting impacts, just like those in the past. By making smart decisions now, we can create a more affordable, sustainable, and resilient Auckland for you and future generations.
Altogether Auckland: Tāmaki Turuki
Together, we can make Tāmaki Makaurau even better. Discover Auckland Council’s future-focused plan and learn how we’re transforming our city—visit OurAuckland.
