SR433 Creating improved housing outcomes: Liveable medium-density housing focus groups (March 2020)

This report presents the findings from three focus groups conducted with staff from Auckland Council, Wellington City Council and Christchurch City Council. The purpose of the focus groups was to identify the degree of liveability currently being achieved by MDH across New Zealand and how such liveability could be improved. Findings are intended to inform the building and construction industry, developers and policy makers at the national and local levels, enabling the settings necessary to design and deliver liveable MDH.

This report presents the findings of the third of five research reports commissioned by BRANZ.

• Insight 1: There is a lack of consistency between territorial authorities regarding approaches to ensuring liveable MDH
• Insight 2: Housing delivery tends to rely on historical trends as opposed to likely future demand
• Insight 3: The current consenting framework does not adequately promote liveable MDH
• Insight 4: Greater integration and alignment is needed between MDH-related legislation and regulation
• Insight 5: There is a perceived need for government leadership and intervention to achieve MDH liveability
• Insight 6: The current nature of the development industry may promote profit over liveability.