Webinar: Navigating Auckland’s Planning Reset
Partial Withdrawal of Plan Change 78 and MDRS and the New Plan Change 120
As Auckland’s planning framework shifts again, Planning Manager Kaaren Joubert and Senior Planner Chanelle Brodie explain what the partial withdrawal of Plan Change 78 and the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS), together with New Plan Change 120, means for developers and landowners. The session is informative and practical, using examples to bring the key issues to life.
What you’ll learn
- Opportunities and red-flag implications to watch out for
- What is changing from Plan Change 78 to Plan Change 120
- Potential development opportunities
- Changes to natural hazard rules
- What it means for developers and owners
- What now and next steps
Who should watch:
- Landowners considering subdivision, redevelopment or intensification
- Developers and project managers reviewing pipeline risk and opportunity
- Real estate agents and buyer advocates advising clients on site potential
- Planners, surveyors, engineers and architects working on feasibility and consenting
- Anyone seeking to understand how PC120 will shape growth in Auckland.
PC78 → PC120: what’s changing (at a glance)
- Legislative setting: MDRS no longer apply, (with limited exceptions); PC120 becomes the key driver for intensification.
- Where growth goes: Focus shifts to areas around rapid transit, centres and serviced corridors, with many outer suburbs being down zoned.
- Heights and intensification: More capacity around key rail and busway stations and along major corridors through extensions of the THAB zone.
- Natural hazards: Stronger, risk-based approach that may limit development in hazard-prone areas.
- Special character areas: Targeted changes in selected locations to balance character with growth and infrastructure.
- Infrastructure alignment: A more compact pattern aligned to existing and planned investment.
Talk to our team
We’re here to help you understand what the partial withdrawal of PC78 and the MDRS, and the new PC120, mean for your property or development site. Our planners can assess your site, outline risks and opportunities, prepare or review a submission, and provide expert planning advice.
Get the webinar link!
Please find below, your access link to our webinar on Navigating Auckland's Planning Reset.
Note: Closed captions will start automatically when the video plays; you can turn them on or off using the CC button in the bottom-right corner of the video window.
View this recorded seminar on Zoom: https://app.zoom.us/clips/share/K-AZQW52T-CWHNWgNpE6hQ
If you have questions, or wish to discuss your project, reply to this email and our team will be in touch.
If you wish to make a submission, please note that we are currently receiving a very high volume of requests relating to Plan Change 120. To ensure you are able to meet the deadline (5pm, 19th of December), we recommend lodging a general submission using Auckland Council’s form. Keeping your submission general preserves the flexibility to expand on key points during the hearing process, and if you would like support, our team can assist with more detailed input and, where appropriate, provide hearing evidence.
Kindest regards,
Cato Bolam
