Housing Minister Chris Bishop announces sweeping changes to Auckland housing rules. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told the Herald the shift means intensification in the suburbs “should go away”. As a result of the Government’s changes, the Auckland Council will now be asked to review the city’s housing plan and remove suburbs or areas where it does not want blanket intensification to occur. Mayor Wayne Brown (left) and Housing Minister Chris Bishop are on the same page when it comes to intensification in Auckland. Bishop said the intention was to include any additional housing in central Auckland within the lowered 1.6 million-dwelling capacity number.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 19, 2026 05:09 UTC