Mayor Andy Foster says initial analysis of nearly 3000 submissions on the city’s draft Spatial Plan show Wellingtonians
want a vibrant, liveable city and affordable housing as the housing crisis deepens across the country.
The submissions show that submitters were split on the quantity and location of the new houses but that there was wide
consensus of the need to take action immediately to address a shortage of affordable housing and other issues such as
infrastructure and climate change.
The comments come in response to the release of an analysis report that presents the key themes of the submissions and
as the Government signals significant change in the resource management area.
Mayor Foster says the results of the analysis reflect the conversations during the draft Spatial Plan engagement and
highlight the complexity of resolving Wellington’s housing challenges alongside recognising the things the community
values about the city.
“It’s clear that everyone wants what’s best for the city and people who live here and that the city wants us to lead on
providing more affordable housing.
“We heard repeatedly that increasing housing supply and affordability should be a priority, along with caring for the
built and natural environments. We also received feedback relating to the intrinsic value people placed on pre-1930s
character, the priority placed on more affordable homes close to public transport and key services and the need for
infrastructure upgrades.
“We’re continuing to undertake the complex planning work around the infrastructure required to support growth. Naturally
some areas are cheaper to develop and some more expensive. Importantly in the short-term, areas of the city that will
support growth need to be integrated with infrastructure planning and funding decisions.
“There is a concern among some that the intention of the Spatial Plan to densify the city will come at the expense of
the quality of life and urban environment Wellingtonians already enjoy. Doing density well will be a key consideration
as we move into the District Plan Review later this year.
“During the community engagement period that fed into the Spatial Plan I undertook a very valuable series of
neighbourhood walkabouts with local councillors, talking with residents first-hand and seeing how they view the
challenges and opportunities in balancing housing provision with protecting the characteristics they love about their
neighbourhood.”
Liam Hodgetts, Wellington City Council’s Chief Planning Officer, says the Spatial Plan debate has been heightened by the
Government’s new National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD) which directs councils to enable
intensification in and around city centres, metropolitan centres and within walkable catchments of existing and planned
rapid transit stops, such as railway stations. The NPS-UD requires the Council to place greater emphasis on enabling
housing development than ever before.
Mr Hodgetts says while the NPS encourages and enables more dense and compact cities, it still allows the Council to
protect historic heritage, open space, significant ecological areas and, where justified, special character areas such
as those proposed in the draft Spatial Plan.
Wellingtonians made their views known to the City Council during the eight weeks of community engagement at the end of
last year through a series of meetings, formal submissions and four days of hearings. The Council’s planning team is
reviewing those submissions in detail to understand what changes are needed to give effect to public views.
This work is taking some time due to the large number of submissions, and to ensure people’s concerns and suggestions
are given full consideration. The Council will finalise the plan in June. It will be considered alongside the Long-term
Plan to help with investment decisions.
This final Spatial Plan will be a strategic document that will help shape the new District Plan which provides more
detail about the rules for development. The District Plan Review will provide a further opportunity for Wellingtonians
to have their say on how we manage future development and protect what is important to the city. A non-statutory Draft
District Plan will be consulted on by the end of 2021, before notification of a statutory Proposed District Plan in
2022. The NPS-UD requires that the Council notify the changes to the Plan by August 2022.Key findings
Below are some of the key findings uncovered through the analysis of respondent feedback:IntensificationIntensification was the most commonly-discussed topic. There was a reasonably even split between those in favour of
intensification, and those who opposed it.Those in favour of intensification wanted to ensure Wellington is prepared for future growth and that positive outcomes
are realised. These respondents wrote about the benefits that would result from intensification, which included more
affordable housing, better proximity to amenities, higher quality housing, and a more compact city that would increase
vibrancy.Those who opposed intensification objected based on the things that they felt would be lost. In particular, respondents
feared losing the character of established suburbs which some consider are an iconic aspect of Wellington. These
comments tended to focus on whole areas or suburbs, particularly the inner suburbs, and noted the value of character
homes for the wider community who enjoy them from the street, as well as those fortunate enough to live in them.CharacterCharacter was the main feature respondents were afraid of losing as a result of change. Many people believed that
Wellington’s character is what makes the city special and felt the proposed changes in the Plan risk changing the
character of the city forever.Overall, there were two distinct opinions expressed on this topic. These two camps either placed strong value on
heritage/character protection to retain Wellington’s special identity, or prioritised quality, affordable homes to
encourage diversity - both architectural and human – over character protection.InfrastructureRespondents were doubtful that existing infrastructure would be able to handle projected growth, and therefore argued
for infrastructure upgrades to be carried out prior to intensification.Most frequently mentioned were ‘three-waters’ and transport infrastructure. Both of these were seen to be struggling to
cope with existing demand, leading to issues with water management, sewerage, traffic congestion and parking.The value of Wellington’s natural environmentParks, green spaces, waterways, and biodiversity were mentioned by respondents who valued Wellington’s natural
environment. Respondents wanted the Plan to include provision of more green and open spaces for residents, particularly
as the city densifies. Calls were also made for the Council to incorporate more wildlife and biodiversity protection and
enhancement into the Plan.Respondents appreciated the provisions put in the plan around climate change and sustainability. Others wanted to see
proactive measures included in the Plan to reduce Wellington’s carbon footprint, as well as more robust planning for
sea-level rise, earthquake hazards and any other natural disasters.