17 March 2005
Air This Hot Should Be Stored In A Balloon
New Zealand First housing spokesperson Brent Catchpole says it is ludicrous that parcels of air over buildings in
Auckland City can be sold, transported and parked before they are moved on again.
Mr Catchpole’s comments follow news that the movement of air rights was standard practice in Auckland and that these
rights were being used to allow a property developer to buy the airspace above a historic church to add more levels to a
waterfront tower.
“These ‘heritage floor space bonus entitlements’ as they are officially called, are being used to allow buildings to
exceed height restrictions, avoid the need for public notification and get around other Resource Management Act
requirements,” said Mr Catchpole.
“What is the point of having public notifications, building height restrictions and RMA requirements if this kind of
practice is allowed?
“This business of shuffling around the airspace to circumvent regulations is ridiculous and flies in the face of proper
building and development procedures,” said Mr Catchpole.
ENDS