Auckland City Council Media release

14 February 2008

Council considers proposal to transform Tamaki

Auckland City Council has agreed in principle to work with the government in a multi-agency programme to create a mixed income quality urban housing community in the Tamaki area which is already a key focus of the council's growth management strategy.

Proposals presented to the City Development Committee included reducing the percentage of social housing in the Panmure, Glen Innes and Pt England neighbourhoods through a mix of other housing including private sector investment.

The Tamaki Transformation Programme, as announced by the government, also addresses aspects of social deprivation in Tamaki including rundown state housing, lower incomes and levels of attainment in education, higher health needs, and unemployment.

Councillors were briefed by the Minister of Housing, Maryan Street, who also had discussions with the Mayor, the Hon John Banks.

The committee chairperson, Councillor Sam Lotu-Iiga, said the project aligned well with work the council was already doing in the area in managing growth and with transport and economic development initiatives.

"Tamaki is a key focus for the council as a major growth area and millions of dollars have already been invested in town centre upgrades, park and ride facilities, the Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI), community facilities and footpath upgrades.

"The test for the council will be the programme's ability to bring a better balanced housing mix to the area by reducing the percentage of social housing. Private sector investment will be vital to achieve that," he said.

"This doesn't mean there will be fewer state houses. It means they won't dominate the area to the same degree."

Best practice overseas says the percentage of social housing in a community should be between 15-20 per cent. Housing New Zealand properties account for 55 per cent in Tamaki. The transformation programme aims to add 3000 mixed tenure homes to the existing stock of 2700 state properties. That would reduce the state housing stock to 39 per cent.

The programme's multi-agency establishment board is preparing an action plan to go to central government later this month and a final business plan, with recommendations for Auckland City Council's involvement, will be reported to the City Development Committee in April.

"The project has great potential for the Tamaki community, existing and future, and I look forward to seeing more detail," said Councillor Lotu-Iiga. "I'm particularly pleased that full engagement with the community, including state house tenants, will be a key feature in planning the future of the area."

ENDS

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