“More housing is needed but fast-track housing developments must work in with their communities first and foremost. New Zealand First will ensure that before approvals are granted for housing projects, there will be the necessary roads, pipes, water, wastewater and other essential services approvals first,” the party said in a statement this morning.
“New Zealand First backs growth, backs housing, and absolutely backs getting things built. But when we brought the blueprint for fast-track to the Government three years ago, we did not envisage New Zealanders picking up the tab or suffering through developments being approved without adequate infrastructure in place. The cart is being put before the horse, and we will ensure that ends.”
Housing developers would have to detail what infrastructure they need, whether it exists, is funded and can be delivered.
Sunset clauses will also be put on consents.
“A listing for fast-track should not be a perpetual entitlement. If a listed project has not lodged its application by the end of 2028, it will lose its preferential access.”
Dedicated expert panels would be created for housing, and they wouldd have the power to decline projects if they are not satisfied the required infrastructure will be in place, NZ First says.
The existing panels do already have the power to decline projects based on a lack of infrastructure.
They also place a range of conditions on consents, including the provision of infrastructure, including building roads, water plants and traffic management.
Speaking to reporters this morning, National leader Christopher Luxon described NZ First’s policy announcement as “quite bizarre”.
“This is actually law and they were in the room when it happened … I’m not quite sure what they’re banging on about today.”
He was backed up by National’s RMA reform spokesman Chris Bishop, who stated: “New Zealand First have literally announced the existing law.”
The pair then shared a chuckle with Luxon adding, “But they’re lovely people, good on them, giving it a go, announcing something that’s already law, it’s cracker.”
Christopher Luxon, Chris Bishop, Wayne Brown and Simon Watts at the Auckland Deal signing. Photo / Michael Craig/NZME
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters was quick to bite back.
In a lengthy post on social media website X he said: “The National Party is wrong that our fast-track announcement we made this morning is already in the existing legislation”.
“While there have been changes made through the Infrastructure Financing regime, that doesn’t properly deal with the core problem: projects can be pushed through before the infrastructure has been proven, funded, and deliverable.
“It is ambulance at the bottom of the cliff thinking and it is not good enough. We think the fast-track test needs to be much clearer. Decision-makers should know upfront whether the roads, water, wastewater and transport links exist, who is paying for them, and when they will be available. If that cannot be shown, specialist housing panels should be able to decline the project.
“Otherwise, New Zealanders are still left carrying the risk and ultimately the cost after the approval has been granted.”
Bishop has made changes to the law to require developers to pay councils more in development fees.
Auckland Council has been looking at ways to fight back against proposed housing development that it sees as out-of-sequence and not covering the true cost of infrastructure.
And mayors from Auckland, Queenstown, Selwyn, Waimakiriri and other districts have all asked the Government to put a pause on residential developments being passed under the fast-track process.
Katie Bradford is a Senior Correspondent at the Herald. She has been a broadcast journalist for over 20 years and was based in the press gallery for 10 years. She specialises in politics, business and Auckland issues.