There are major changes planned for our big cities that'll remove restrictions on intensification and see more houses growing skyward - but have some worried it'll mean the end of privacy and quality living standards.
The Resource Management Act (Enabling Housing Supply) Amendment Bill was a surprise announcement last month - a rare cross-party agreement designed to speed up the building of new houses.
Submissions closed at midnight on Tuesday for the fast-tracked law, which should be passed before Christmas.
There are two main proposals: A new planning process to help 'tier one' councils to work out, and roll out, intensification policies earlier than was initially planned.
The second, would see 'tier one' councils apply medium density residential standards from next August - including three homes of three storeys without the need for a resource consent.
Many have expressed concerns about the speed, scale and potential long-term impact of the changes.
This morning Kathryn speaks with Simon O'Connor, a former Auckland Council planner who now runs his own company, Sentinel Planning. And Ekin Sakin, a Christchurch-based architect and committee member with the Urban Design Forum.
Photo: RNZ composite
