Government proposes removing height limits for Auckland CBD buildings
Friday 18 September 2026 · 1 outlet · 2 reports · updated In this story Chris Bishop, Wayne Brown
Ministers Chris Bishop and Simon Watts have proposed scrapping building height caps and density restrictions across much of Auckland's central business district. The plan aims to drive economic growth and housing near the City Rail Link. However, one property developer has dismissed the proposal as political, doubting it will result in immediate new apartments.
Key facts
5 facts
- Proposed removal of height caps and density rules in most of Auckland CBD
- Public consultation period: 18 September to 16 October
- Estimated impact: 17,100 new homes, 31,600 residents, and 37,200 jobs
- Projected annual GDP increase of $1.87 billion at full uptake
- Current height limits in some CBD areas are 35m or 72.5m
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
The government has proposed removing building height caps and density restrictions across most of Auckland's central business district. The plan, announced by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Auckland Minister Simon Watts, and Mayor Wayne Brown, aims to capitalise on the newly opened City Rail Link. Public consultation on the proposals will run for 20 working days from 18 September until 16 October.
Economic modelling suggests the changes could enable 20.3 million square metres of additional theoretical floor space. If the commercially feasible portion of 2.75 million square metres is built, it could support approximately 17,100 new homes, 31,600 residents, and 37,200 jobs. The proposal could also increase annual national gross domestic product by about $1.87 billion at full uptake.
The proposal includes removing maximum tower dimensions, boundary setbacks, and floor area ratio limits in areas such as Britomart, Central Wharves, Viaduct Harbour, and Wynyard. It also targets non-contributing sites in the Karangāhape Road Historic Heritage Area for redevelopment, though contributing sites and scheduled heritage places would remain protected. Protections for sunlight, wind, harbour height, and volcanic viewshafts would stay in place.
Property developer Mark Todd of Ockham Residential dismissed the plan as political, arguing that tweaking regulations will not lead to immediate vertical housing growth. Todd stated, "It's not going to go vertical until there's some incentives". He suggested that the lack of residents in the CBD is a primary issue that regulation changes alone will not solve.
Where reports differ
- One report specifies the removal of heritage status for a Mobil petrol station and Wilson Parking lot, while others refer generally to non-contributing sites
Compiled from reports by Stuff, Otago Daily Times and 1News.