Labour housing spokesman Phil Twyford said yesterday that the urban growth boundary had to go because it had fuelled the housing crisis. "It's only a few weeks until we get the report from the Independent Hearings Panel on the unitary plan. Twyford says expanding urban growth boundary would stop land prices soaring. "Whether the removal of the rural urban boundary will resolve the problem without having other consequences is something I am keeping an open mind on." "Over 25 years the urban growth boundary hasn't prevented sprawl, but it has helped drive land and housing costs through the roof.

Source: New Zealand Herald May 18, 2016 11:35 UTC