Government launches investigation into Wellington and Hamilton planning rules

The Government has launched formal investigations into whether planning rules in Wellington and Hamilton are obstructing housing development, infrastructure upgrades, and economic growth, with RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop warning that excessive regulation is driving up costs and slowing projects.

The reviews will be carried out under new powers added to the Resource Management Act last year, allowing the Government to intervene where council planning provisions are seen as harming development capacity, employment, or growth.

In Wellington, the investigation will examine heritage protections affecting areas such as Courtenay Place, where building height limits are significantly lower than surrounding parts of the CBD despite the area being earmarked for intensification near jobs and public transport.

Officials will also assess heritage controls linked to the Karori Tunnel, Kelburn Viaduct, and a concrete gas tank near the Weta FX and Wingnut Films site, where Bishop said planning requirements may be inflating upgrade costs and limiting business expansion.

In Hamilton, the inquiry centres on housing rules including mandatory EV charging infrastructure, powered e-bike storage, deep soil planting requirements, and building design controls, which developers argue are making affordable and social housing projects more expensive and difficult to deliver. The Ministry for the Environment will now consult councils and affected parties before advising the Government, with decisions expected before the end of the year.

Image credit: Ivan Bandura