As a result of Government Legislation in 2022 (jointly agreed between National and Labour), Auckland Council was forced to upzone most of the city to enable more intensification (known as Plan Change 78 or PC78). After years of advocacy to allow Auckland more control over areas with natural hazards, the Government passed new legislation in late 2025 to enable this while still requiring council to zone for 2M new dwellings. Auckland Council publicly notified Plan Change 120 (PC120) on 3 November 2025 (replacing PC78) and received over 10k submissions.

In February 2026 the Minister announced that he was working with the Mayor to reduce the minimum housing capacity requirements to 1.6M dwellings and in March/April new legislation changed the target to 1.4M dwellings. On Tuesday 9 June, the Policy, Planning, and Development Committee of Auckland Council voted to ask local boards and iwi for feedback on two options for potential amendments to Plan Change 120.

Under both scenarios, the majority of the Howick Local Board area reverts to the Auckland Unitary Plan (AUP) zoning. The most significant changes are limited to Howick, Botany, Pakūranga, Highland Park and Meadowlands. To help, I’ve created four images for these areas showing the AUP, original Plan Change 120, and both scenarios. I’ve also attached the full maps for both scenarios.

The Howick Local Board has been asked for our feedback on these Scenarios, including how well the updated proposals respond to the reduced requirements from Government. Our meeting is scheduled for Thursday 25 June, although we are considering deferring this until next week to allow more time for us and the public to consider the options.

See the full report that we’ve been provided here: https://aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/Meeting/12500/97720?type=1&docId=32682

The Policy, Planning, and Development Committee will be considering all local board and iwi feedback in late July, before the public is invited to make submissions (likely to be notified in August).

Howick Village

Under both Scenarios A and B, Howick Village is proposed to have Terraced Housing and Apartment (THAB) zoning added within the walking catchment. The upzoning along Sandspit and Litten Roads through to Meadowlands is removed. The Single House Zones that were proposed to shift to Mixed Housing Suburban return to Single House Zone. The Mixed Housing Suburban Zones (2 storeys) that were proposed to shift to Mixed Housing Urban (3 storeys) returns to Mixed Housing Suburban.

Botany and Burswood

Under both Scenarios A and B, Botany and Burswood is proposed to have Terraced Housing and Apartment (THAB) zoning added within the walking catchment. The upzoning along Millhouse from Meadowlands is removed. The Mixed Housing Suburban Zones (2 storeys) that were proposed to shift to Mixed Housing Urban (3 storeys) returns to Mixed Housing Suburban.

Pakūranga

Under both Scenarios A and B, Pakūranga is proposed to have Terraced Housing and Apartment (THAB) zoning added within the walking catchment, including along the Eastern Busway. The Mixed Housing Suburban Zones (2 storeys) that were proposed to shift to Mixed Housing Urban (3 storeys) returns to Mixed Housing Suburban.

Highland Park and Meadowlands

Under both Scenarios A and B, Highland Park is proposed to have Terraced Housing and Apartment (THAB) zoning added within the walking catchment. Under Scenario A, Meadowlands returns to Mixed Urban Suburban (2 storeys) but under Scenario B it’s proposed to have Terraced Housing and Apartment (THAB) zoning. Under both Scenarios, the upzoning along to/from Howick and Meadowlands, and Botany to/from Meadowlands is removed. The Mixed Housing Suburban Zones (2 storeys) that were proposed to shift to Mixed Housing Urban (3 storeys) returns to Mixed Housing Suburban.