Auckland Slashes Housing Capacity Target to 1.4 Million Homes

Central government legislation passed in April 2026 reduced Auckland’s mandatory housing capacity for Plan Change 120 from around 2 million to 1.4 million homes. This change sets the scale of future residential development that Auckland Council must plan for under the updated rules.

Plan Change 120 replaced the withdrawn Medium Density Residential Standards in Auckland on 9 October 2025. It allows intensification near rapid transit while applying tighter rules for natural hazard areas. Auckland residents now face a framework that channels higher-density housing toward transport hubs and restricts development in flood-prone or low-access locations.

Committee Principles for Local Development

In March 2026 the Auckland Council Policy, Planning and Development Committee agreed to guiding principles for Plan Change 120 amendments. These principles prioritise high-density housing near transport hubs and direct down-zoning of flood-prone and low-transport-access areas. For residents this means future building opportunities will concentrate in specific corridors while some existing neighbourhoods face reduced development potential.

The Independent Hearings Panel has received over 10,000 public submissions on Plan Change 120. The panel is expected to deliver final recommendations to the council in early 2027, and Aucklanders will have a further opportunity to provide feedback at that stage. This process determines how the reduced capacity target translates into zoning maps that affect individual properties.

Upcoming Consultation Steps

In June 2026 the committee voted to send Scenarios A and B of Auckland’s housing plan to local boards and iwi for feedback. A definitive decision is scheduled for July 2026, followed by 20 days of public consultation. Residents can review the scenarios through local board channels or council channels to understand how the 1.4 million home target will apply in their area.

The lower capacity figure and the focus on transport-linked sites will guide where new homes are permitted. People living near rapid transit stations may see more options for higher-density development, while those in hazard-prone zones can expect stricter limits on subdivision or building height. The outcomes of the July decision and subsequent consultation will set the practical rules for housing supply in Auckland over the coming years.