Auckland Council has recently withdrawn Plan Change 78 (PC 78) and replaced it with Plan Change 120 (PC 120) which is now open for submission. PC 120 proposes two main objectives: New measures to ensure significant risks from natural hazards are better managed. Increasing housing through changes to existing residential zones rather than relying on…
Whether you are in the process of buying or have already purchased property in New Zealand, you may have come across terms such as cross lease and freehold. Understanding the differences between these ownership types is essential because they affect your rights, responsibilities, and the ways you can use or develop your land in the…
If you are currently working on a land development or infrastructure project, you’re likely already aware of how much time, money, and energy are invested in the planning and coordination stages to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Design and construction are often two areas that take centre stage in a project, but have you…
If you’re currently working on a land development project, you’ll know the importance of managing budgets and just how quickly civil engineering costs can spiral out of control if you are not prepared. While you may be familiar with the building or consent costs, have you considered the importance of early-stage infrastructure work and how…
We recently shared some helpful information about Understanding Cross-Lease Properties. We’re now going to take a deeper dive into how to convert your cross-lease property to a freehold title, and the benefits of going through this process. If you own a cross-lease property in Auckland—or you’re thinking of buying one—it’s important to understand how…
We’ve recently shared some helpful information about Understanding Cross-Lease Properties and gone into a bit more detail about Converting from Cross-Lease to Freehold. But what happens if there have been some changes to the buildings or layout on your cross-lease property, and the flats plan is now out of date? What is a Flats…
It has recently been announced that the Government will be making extensive changes to current building and planning legislation to make it easier to build small standalone dwellings, also known as ‘granny flats’. These changes will provide New Zealanders with greater housing options, catering to families with diverse housing needs and budgets, while also…
As the future of Auckland’s urban planning framework continues to develop, a new update has been released regarding Plan Change 78 (PC78). The Independent Hearings Panel has decided to delay the remaining PC78 Topics until more clarity is gained on whether the RMA Amendment Bill allows the Council to withdraw some or all of PC78.…
Over the years, the Resource Management Act (1991) RMA has received extensive criticism and has been described as creating a “culture of no” by hindering infrastructure, housing, and resource use while failing to adequately protect the environment. The Government is proposing to scrap the RMA and replace it with new planning laws. What are the…
At the end of March, we had the privilege of attending the opening of the first homes for our Homes of Choice project at 57 Angelo Avenue, Howick. The event marked the auspicious occasion of the housing blessing ceremony by local Iwi. We partnered with the right project team to deliver housing solutions that meet…
Conservation Week 2024 This is a week-long event celebrating and promoting New Zealand’s unique biodiversity and natural heritage. To coincide with Conservation Week and because our inhouse Ecologists and Soil and Water Contamination teams deal with ecosystems every day, this year we wanted to make a practical contribution to Give A Trap. Give a Trap…
(image by Brett Phibbs. Image source: nzherald) Cyclone Gabrielle’s wrath left Auckland with a staggering 14,000 land slips, making it a global example of this hazardous phenomenon. Auckland’s beauty comes with a vulnerability to land slips, especially after heavy rain. If you’re facing a land slip on your property, don’t panic! Here’s a guide to…
