Hon Dr Nick Smith
Minister of Housing
9 May 2014
Queenstown being considered for Housing Accord
Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith met with Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden to discuss the district being scheduled
under the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Act 2013.
“The median house price in Queenstown is $664,000 and the district is one of the five least affordable housing areas in
New Zealand. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how the Government and Council can work together to improve
supply and affordability,” Dr Smith says.
The Government has already concluded Housing Accords with Auckland and Christchurch and has discussions underway with
Wellington and Bay of Plenty. A formal Housing Accord is only possible if a district is added to the schedule of the
Act.
“My officials advise that Queenstown meets the thresholds of the Act and has significant affordability issues. I want to
discuss with the Council whether they concur with that assessment and how we can improve housing in the district,” Dr
Smith says.
“Queenstown has quite unique characteristics to its housing challenges. The topography is quite difficult in that there
is little easily developable land close to the town centre. The district also has high demand for people who work in the
tourism and hospitality industries, whose incomes are not high. The area is also quite different to others like
Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in having a high number of homes owned for holiday purposes. The Housing Accords
legislation is quite flexible and provides for different approaches in different communities.
“I am very supportive of the Council’s initiative in establishing the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust in 2007
and am keen to see the Trust grow. It is just part of the solution and other initiatives are also required.”
Dr Smith said he would make a decision on whether Queenstown would be added to the schedule of the Act after considering
the views of the Council and consultation with Cabinet.
Ends