The market is shifting, and Auckland is evolving 

This month has brought a series of policy announcements and data updates that will matter to owners, investors, and anyone considering selling or upgrading a central Auckland asset.

Earthquake-prone reforms: Relief on the horizon

The Government has announced sweeping changes to the earthquake-prone building (EPB) regime, shifting to a more risk-based system.

  • Around 55% of buildings currently on the EPB register (~2,900 nationwide) are expected to be removed entirely.
  • About 1,440 buildings will face lighter remediation requirements, while only around 80 nationwide are expected to require a full retrofit.
  • Auckland, Northland, and the Chatham Islands will be removed from the regime altogether, reflecting their lower seismic risk.
  • Overall, the reforms are projected to save building owners $8.2 billion across the country.

For central-city owners, this could mean reduced compliance costs in the short term, more flexibility on retrofit timelines, and a material change in how risk is assessed.

We consider this a long-awaited and sensible update for building owners.

For more details, see MBIE’s announcement and Beehive release.


Planning rules: Development focus shifts to transport hubs

At city level, Auckland Council is progressing its next round of planning rules (Plan Change 120), which prioritise higher-density development around public transport nodes while tightening controls in more peripheral or hazard-prone zones.

  • The Council has backed 10–15 storey developments around transport hubs.
  • Stronger controls will apply in areas at risk of flooding, erosion, or other hazards.

This marks a clear shift in where the next wave of development potential sits — land near the City Rail Link, train stations, and key bus corridors is now positioned for premium value.

We retain serious concerns with the speed of this approach, and will continue to monitor developments closely, submitting formally when the opportunity is clarified.


Visa changes: a niche lift at the top end

The Government has also adjusted investor visa and foreign-ownership rules. Under the updated Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa, wealthy overseas investors can purchase or build a single home in New Zealand under certain conditions:

  • Growth category: NZ$5 million over 3 years in higher-risk, direct business investment.
  • Balanced category: NZ$10 million over 5 years in a mix of assets, including lower-risk investments.

While this policy change won’t reshape the wider market, it may generate targeted demand for premium Auckland properties, particularly at the very top end. We see this as a well measured and positive development for New Zealand.

Goodwins is also uniquely positioned to serve this market. Reach out to brendan@goodwins.co.nz for confidential, tailored advice.