Chairs & Deputy Chairs of Regional Chapter Committees
27 august 2025
Auckland Council has endorsed a draft plan change that will replace Plan Change 78 (PC78) - originally proposed to implement the requirements of the National Policy Statement for Urban Development (NPS-UD) and apply the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS).
Recent amendments to the Resource Management Act (RMA) now allow Auckland Council to withdraw PC78, provided that a replacement plan change that provides similar housing capacity is prepared and notified.
The replacement plan change proposed was considered at a meeting last Thursday 21 August. It seeks (unsurprisingly given the extensions previously sought and recent guidance in NPS- NH) to strengthen provisions related to natural hazards, including the "downzoning" of properties at high risk.
Some key aspects of the replacement plan change include:
- New natural hazard rules that will apply immediately to resource consent applications. These rules will focus on managing risks related to flooding, coastal inundation, coastal erosion, and landslides. Expert reporting will be required to determine the category of natural hazard risks associated with a site.
- less extensive Single House Zones. The extent of the Single House Zone will decrease, applying mainly to sites with special character overlays, coastal areas, or significant natural hazard risks.The rules in the Single House Zone will remain generally unchanged.
- Changes to the Mixed Housing Suburban (MHS) and Mixed Housing Urban (MHU) zones. The extent of the MHU zone will increase, while the MHS zone will decrease. Revised standards will apply to both zones, including changes to height limits, yards, and coverage.
- Increases in the extent of the Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings (THAB) zone particularly in areas around rapid transit stations and centres.
- Revised height limits and standards for the THAB zone, including a hierarchy of height limits for different types of rapid transit stations.
Auckland Council will decide whether to proceed with the replacement plan change in September. If approved, the plan change is expected to be notified in October, with submissions open until the end of the year.
The replacement plan change will have significant implications for developers, homeowners, and the broader community.
31 October 2024
I am pleased to advise UDINZ members of the appointment of our Chapter Chairs in each regional chapter. They are respectively:
Anthony Smith in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
James Solari in Pōneke Wellington
Irene Boles in Waitaha Canterbury
Both Anthony and James remain in their current roles, with Irene stepping in to take up the Chair role in Waitaha, Canterbury. This vacancy has been created due to Annie Wilson indicating she wished to step down as chair, effective 1st November. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Annie for her commitment to UDINZ in chairing the committee and am pleased to advise Annie will remain a valued member of the chapter committee and as a member of our national board.
In addition, in consultation with the Board, I am pleased to advise the appointment of three new deputy chairs to assist the chairs in each UDINZ regional chapter.
Emma Howie in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Anna Harley in Pōneke Wellington
Sophie Burtt in Waitaha Canterbury
A big congratulations to everyone and I look forward to working with you more closely over the coming weeks and months.
Ngā mihi nui,
Campbell
Campbell McGregor
Chair of UDINZ Board