feb 17, 2020 - Councils concerned over Kainga Ora powers

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Councils across the country are worried they're going to be shut out of having any say over major state housing developments in their cities.
Councils are concerned housing agency Kāinga Ora may run roughshod over their plans for developments in their areas.
The issue has arisen because of a new bill, which would see housing agency Kāinga Ora being granted powers to authorise and coordinate large-scale development projects.

But mayors, councils, and the body which represents councils around New Zealand have expressed concern over the bill, and particularly what it would mean for their involvement - or lack of - in major urban developments.

"We are concerned that it has the potential for Kāinga Ora to run roughshod over local councils," said Dave Cull, head of Local Government NZ.

"There's a whole plethora of potential misalignment if Kāinga Ora was just going: 'well we're just going to do things our way'."

One potential misalignment is around transport, Cull said.

"There doesn't seem to be any consideration of the role of regional councils in their public transportation role.

"How will the public transportation services, that will naturally be needed in any new developments - especially the big ones - harmonise with what's already in the surrounding community?"

The powers being granted to Kāinga Ora have been laid out in the Urban Development Bill, which is still going through Parliament. It has currently passed its first reading and is now at select committee. Submissions on the bill closed last Friday.

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