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The Auckland Plan 2050 is a living plan that will evolve to address emerging or changing issues, as well as reflect updated data and evidence. As local, national and international conditions and circumstances change and affect Auckland, the Auckland Plan will need to adapt. This approach of a living plan will not change the strategic direction, but will allow it to remain current and relevant.

New and revised data, links to new government or Auckland-based policy and examples of delivery programmes and innovative projects will be added to this page in regular updates so that it remains up to date and relevant.

July 2022 update

Annual Monitoring Report

The Auckland Plan 2050 identifies 33 measures to track progress of the plan.

In August 2022, the Annual Monitoring Report was provided to our Planning Committee.

The Measuring progress section of the plan has been updated with information about the Annual Monitoring Report.

July 2020 update

This is the fifth data and information update to the Auckland Plan 2050 that looks at the changes that impact on Auckland and the direction set out in the plan.

This update covers:

  • impacts and potential impacts of COVID-19 pandemic
  • central government reform relevant to directions in the plan
  • annual measures report
  • three yearly progress report.

COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 has had wide ranging impacts on Auckland’s communities and economy. The focus on recovery and associated reprioritisation could create delays or increased challenges in implementing aspects of the Auckland Plan 2050. The recovery potentially offers new opportunities for implementation. Some likely impacts on each outcome are set out below.

Belonging and participation

  • Initial increased social cohesion - enhanced feelings of national unity and a sense of communities coming together
  • Demand on mental health helplines and services increased as people sought practical support.
  • There were increased rates of anxiety and depression in response to uncertainty. Experts suggest that this may be followed by grievance, anger, frustration and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This may disproportionately affect those who are already experiencing high rates of poor mental health, such as Māori.
  • Increased unemployment may lead to challenges around housing stress, financial hardship and addiction issues. Demand for welfare support has declined/levelled-off as we moved into level 1 although more hardship may lie ahead as higher rates of unemployment are predicted.
  • A move towards increased digital approaches although those on the wrong side of the digital divide are excluded.
  • Health and economic impacts expected to be borne disproportionately by disadvantaged communities, the most vulnerable, and low income households. If not properly addressed, the social crisis may also increase inequality, exclusion, and discrimination.
  • Long-term trend of inequality of outcomes for Māori and Pasifika communities is likely to be magnified by the pandemic.

Māori Identity and wellbeing

  • Standards of living will be significantly impacted for Māori in particular, based on the type of jobs and industries they are employed in.
  • Further set back in creating individual wealth – home ownership for Māori (40% for Census 2013) was already low in comparison to non-Māori. Home ownership is the main pathway to grow individual wealth.
  • Māori economy in particular around tourism, international education and service sectors likely to be significantly impacted due to border restrictions.
  • Increased demand for societal support – most vulnerable people will be affected by the COVID-19 crisis first (first economically then socially).
  • Māori social wellbeing was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing and lockdown measures have prevented the exercise of tikanga Māori practices, which have deep spiritual meaning and enhance social, cultural and physical wellbeing.

Homes and places

  • Loss of income and employment will mean housing is less affordable for many, leading to increased numbers on the Public Housing Register (already at a five-year high in Auckland of 6,000 pre lockdown), increased overcrowding and increased homelessness.
  • Increased rental market demand despite fewer international tourists and students due to housing affordability issues and numbers of returning Kiwis.
  • Increased focus on ensuring vulnerable people – including homeless – who were housed during lockdown continue to be supported and remain in secure housing.
  • Inability to work at level 4, skills challenges from border restrictions, conservative bank lending, and lower confidence has led to challenges for the construction industry which may reduce private development.
  • Increased role for central government in housing.

Environment and cultural heritage

  • Short term positive impacts in water quality and air quality from decreased activity.
  • A risk that the recovery could decrease focus on this outcome. Recent announcements regarding fast track consenting and infrastructure investment show some consideration of positive environmental and climate outcomes in the recovery.
  • Delayed start to our regional parks planting programme.
  • Temporary reduction in predator and plant pest management.

Transport and access

  • Reductions in public transport patronage during the shutdown period. This led to revenue loss, whilst still paying for operating costs.
  • During the first week of alert level 2, traffic levels were at 85 per cent of what they were pre-lockdown while public transport patronage was down to 60 per cent of usual levels.
  • It is unclear if there will be longer term mode shift impacts.
  • Anecdotal evidence suggests increased interest in working from home or flexible working arrangements post COVID.

Opportunity and prosperity

  • Under alert level four, Auckland was operating at approximately 43 per cent capacity (of total employment).
  • Accommodation and food services, construction, manufacturing, transport, postal and warehousing, retail, and administrative and support services forecast to be the worst hit nationally with Auckland at risk due to its growth focused economy (i.e. tourism and construction).
  • Current (May 2020) domestic spending is at 97 per cent of previous year’s levels, although accommodation, arts and recreation and transport and travel agencies spend is still well below normal levels.
  • International spend is only half of previous year’s levels.
  • As at May 2020, Jobseeker benefits in Auckland has increased by 27 per cent over this time last year.
  • Prosperity gaps that already exist may widen as certain communities experience greater levels of unemployment and economic hardship.
  • Young people are likely to experience higher levels of unemployment, which may lead to an increase in participation in education and training.

For information on components of the government’s COVID-19 response, and Budget 2020 that are relevant to the Auckland Plan outcomes.

Data and evidence updates

The release of further 2018 Census data in mid 2019 has enabled the plan to be updated with the latest statistics, particularly with regard to education, income, and housing.

Population projections, and other Census derived statistics will be available later in the year and covered in a subsequent update. These recent Census 2018 data updates can be found at:

The plan has also been updated with voter turnout figures from the 2019 local government elections and with the most up to date results from the Household Labour Force Survey.

March 2020 update

This is the fourth data and information update to the Auckland Plan 2050 that looks at the changes that impact on Auckland and the direction set out in the plan.

This update covers:
  • central government reform relevant to directions in the plan
  • newly available information and data.

Central government reform relevant to the plan

Since the last update the government has introduced a number of reforms that are relevant to the outcomes in the plan.

Urban Development Bill

The Urban Development Bill was introduced to Parliament in December 2019. The Bill proposes to give Kāinga Ora significant powers to enable it to undertake urban development. This could potentially unlock development which the private market would be unable to deliver. Auckland Council lodged a submission on the Bill in February 2020.

The council supports the Bill in principle but has concerns with the lack of integration with council strategies and plans required of Kāinga Ora when planning its developments. The Urban Development Bill is relevant to the Home and places outcome, in particular Direction 2 Accelerate the construction of homes that meet Aucklanders’ changing needs and preferences.

National Policy Statement on Urban Development

During the last quarter of 2019, the government released the draft National Policy Statement on Urban Development. The draft national policy statement proposes to add more requirements to ensure council plans provide enough feasible development capacity. Provisions that would allow out of sequence greenfield development, or weakening of the Rural Urban Boundary, have the potential to undermine the Development Strategy and associated infrastructure provision. This could impact on the achievement of some outcomes of the Auckland Plan 2050, particularly the Home and places outcome Direction 1 - Develop a quality compact urban form to accommodate Auckland’s growth and Direction 2 Accelerate the construction of homes that meet Aucklanders’ changing needs and preferences. The proposed National Policy Statement on Urban Development is expected to take effect in mid-2020.

The Infrastructure Funding and Financing Bill

This was introduced to Parliament in December 2019. The Bill seeks to support the provision of infrastructure for housing and urban development. It proposes tools such as special purpose vehicles and direct investment by central government. This potentially reduces the impact of local authority financing and funding constraints and could contribute to implementing the Home and places outcome - Focus area 1 Accelerate quality development at scale that improves housing choices.

Environment focused resource management reform

A key focus for recent environmental reform has been water quality improvement through the essential freshwater package, and the protection of indigenous biodiversity through a proposed national policy statement. The need to reverse degradation of natural environments is also a focus for the comprehensive reform of the resource management system. These reforms are relevant to Key Challenge 3: Reducing environmental degradation and the Environment and cultural heritage outcome.

Climate Change Commission

This was established in November 2019 as part of the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019. The Commission is required to create national adaptation plans and carbon budgets and will give climate policy a degree of independence from the government of the day. The proposed Emissions Trading Scheme reform is also a signal that the present government intends to accelerate emissions reductions in order to meet our reduction targets. These announcements signal that the present government intends to accelerate emissions reductions in order to meet our reduction targets. These reforms are relevant to several aspects of the Auckland Plan, particularly the Environment and Cultural Heritage Outcome.

Suicide prevention

The recently released every Life Matters – He Tapu te Oranga o ia Tangata: Suicide Prevention Strategy 2019–2029 and Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2019–2024 for Aotearoa New Zealand.

These recently released documents aim to reduce New Zealand’s suicide rate and increase wellbeing for all. This is particularly linked to the Belonging and participation outcome - Direction 2 Improve health and wellbeing for all Aucklanders by reducing harm and disparities in opportunities.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission formation

The introduction of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Bill seeks to establish a Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission as an independent Crown entity that will contribute to better mental health and wellbeing outcomes for people in New Zealand. It will also contribute to improving equity for Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled people, rainbow communities, and other groups that experience poorer mental health and wellbeing outcomes. This contributes to the Belonging and participation outcome - Direction 2 Improve health and wellbeing for all Aucklanders by reducing harm and disparities in opportunities.

The Public Service Legislation Bill

The recently introduced Public Service Legislation Bill includes provisions to strengthen the Māori/Crown Relationship, making clear the expectations of the Public Service in relation to the Crown’s Treaty partner. This contributes to the Māori identity and wellbeing outcome - Direction 3 Recognise and provide for te Tiriti o Waitangi outcomes.

Te Ahu o te Reo Māori continuation

The renewal of Te Ahu o te Reo Māori in 2020 will provide training for 600 teachers to support government’s target of every child having te reo Māori in their learning by 2025. This implements the Māori identity and wellbeing outcome - Focus Area 6 Celebrate Māori culture and support te reo Māori to flourish.

Essential Freshwater package

Government recently consulted on the Essential Freshwater package which included the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management. This seeks to improve water quality by setting a clear policy direction including strengthening the requirement to identify and reflect Māori values in freshwater planning, and by introducing new requirements into the NPS-FM and better monitoring and reporting requirements. This Focus area 5 Adapt to a changing water future.

Employment strategy release

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment released its employment strategy in August 2019. The strategy aims to improve employment outcomes through future reforms focussed on building a skilled workforce, supporting industries and regions to thrive, supporting workplaces to modernise, supporting workers and businesses to be resilient and adaptable in the face of the changing nature of work and supporting more inclusive employment. This is relevant to the Opportunity and prosperity outcome - Direction 3 Develop skills and talent for the changing nature of work and lifelong achievement.

Data and evidence updates

The release of the 2018 Census data in late 2019 has enabled the plan to be updated with the latest population statistics.

Population projections, and other Census derived statistics will be available later in the year and covered in a subsequent update.

Census 2018 data updates can be found at:

October 2019 update

Development Strategy

The data showing new residential dwellings consented for 2018/2019 has been released. Auckland’s capacity for growth uses annual consented dwellings data.
This data is used to show recent patterns in:
  • residential dwellings by type (detached/attached)
  • and whether inside or outside the 2010 Rural Urban Boundary.

The information in the plan has been updated to reflect the latest data.

Measuring progress

The Development Strategy Progress has been updated with information about the 2018/19 measures. Find out more information about the measures for the Development Strategy progress.

Five new reporting dashboards have created report the progress of:

June 2019 update

This is the second six monthly update to the Auckland Plan 2050 that looks at the changes that impact on Auckland and the direction set out in the plan. This update covers:

  • central government reform relevant to directions in the plan
  • Implementation of the plan
  • updates to the plan to reflect new sets of information and data
  • Year one measures report
  • changes to the plan in response to feedback.

Central government reform relevant to the plan

Recent central government reforms and initiatives relating to housing, community wellbeing and environment support the direction of the Auckland Plan 2050.

Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019

Adoption of the Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019 introduces minimum standards for rental properties. These minimum standards include:

  • heating
  • insulation
  • ventilation
  • moisture ingress
  • drainage
  • draught stopping.

These regulations apply from 1 July 2019. The standards come into force between 1 July 2021 and 1 July 2024 depending on the category and tenure of the rental accommodation.

Homes and places - Direction 3: Shift to a housing system that ensures secure and affordable homes for all.

Homes and places - Focus Area 3: Improve the built quality of existing dwellings, particularly rental housing.

Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Act 2019

The amendments to this act reintroduce the four wellbeings; social, economic, environmental and cultural, for local government. The Auckland Plan 2050 sets out directions and focus areas that look at the four wellbeings of our communities.

This amendment also widens the types of assets that development contributions can be collected. This may allow for greater investment in the long-term plan to deliver on the Auckland Plan.

Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill

The Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill was introduced to Parliament in early May 2019. The bill proposes a framework by which New Zealand can develop and implement clear and stable climate change policies that contribute to the global effort under the Paris agreement.

The bill would set greenhouse gas reduction targets into law.The bill’s proposed reduction target of 1.5 degrees Celsius is the same as Auckland’s regional target (since November last year). It is also the same target that is proposed for Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Action Framework.

Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities Bill

The Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities bill will create an urban development authority,. The proposed functions of the authority are:

  • being a public housing landlord and
  • leading and co-ordinating urban development projects.

The Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities bill will disestablish Housing New Zealand, and HLC (Homes, Land, Community). The assets of both organisations would be transferred to Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities.

In addition, the bill proposes to transfer certain functions of the current KiwiBuild Unit to Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities.

A second related bill is expected later in 2019. This bill will propose to give Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities development powers. The exact nature of those powers will not be known until the second bill is introduced. Potentially those powers could include;

  • planning
  • consenting
  • land acquisition
  • rating
  • funding
  • infrastructure delivery.

See Implementing the homes and places for more information.

Find out more about the different organisations that play a role in implementing the Homes and Places outcome.

Central government’s Budget 2019

Housing First expansion

The expansion of the Housing First programme should increase the people in Auckland that would be supported into finding stable housing.The programme provides wraparound support services to deal with the problems that may have led people to be homeless in the first place (e.g. mental health issues and addictions). 

This programme is key in the implementation of the Homes and places outcome.

Community wellbeing

In response to the He Ara Oranga report into mental health and wellbeing the Government will "significantly" increase access to publicly-funded mental health and addiction services, they will also establish a mental health commission.

This announcement aligns with the direction set in Belonging and participation - Direction 2: Improve health and wellbeing for all Aucklanders by reducing harm and disparities in opportunities.

Rheumatic fever reduction

Funding has been allocated to support innovative, community-led initiatives to reduce the incidence of rheumatic fever among Māori and Pasifika people. $12 million will be used to support better management of the illness.

This initiative is focused on Auckland as two thirds of rheumatic fever cases occur here. This announcement aligns with the direction set in Belonging and participation - Direction 2: Improve health and wellbeing for all Aucklanders by reducing harm and disparities in opportunities.

Homes and places healthy homes.

Pacific Employment Support Service Expansion

Expansion of the Pacific Employment Support Service to reduce the rate of Pacific young people not in employment, education or training.

This expansion aligns with the direction set in Opportunity and prosperity - Focus Area 5: Increase educational achievement, lifelong learning and training, with a focus on those most in need.

Green Transport Card investigation

Funding has been allocated to enable investigation of a Green Transport Card to make public transport more affordable for low-income households.

The implementation of such a scheme may support implementation of Transport and access - Focus Area 4: Make walking, cycling and public transport preferred choices for many more Aucklanders.

Implementation of the plan

It has been one year since the Auckland Plan 2050 was adopted and progress has been made in implementing the plan.

The Auckland Urban Ngahere (Forest) Strategy

The Auckland Urban Ngahere (Forest) Strategy (PDF 4.9MB) was released in March 2019. This strategy supports the implementation of the Environment and cultural heritage outcome by establishing a framework to protect and grow Auckland’s urban ngahere.

RIMU’s climate change risk assessment series

The climate change risk assessment reports were commissioned in support of the development Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Action Framework.  The series of eight reports provide information about the risk and vulnerabilities Auckland may face from climate change.

The reports consider various components of key risks – hazard, exposure and vulnerabilities. See climate change in Auckland for more information.

The individual reports will be added to the Auckland Plan evidence reports as they become available.

Data and evidence updates

Transport and Access

The plan includes data from the Transport Agency Crash Analysis System (CAS). The CAS records all traffic crashes as reported to the Transport Agency by the NZ Police. The plan uses data about the number of road deaths and serious injuries in Auckland. The statistics from 2018 have been released recently and updated in the plan.

See Move to a safe transport network free from death and serious injury for more information.

Annual Monitoring Report

The Auckland Plan 2050 identifies 33 measures to track progress of the plan. In July 2019 the Annual Monitoring Report was presented to Auckland Council’s Planning Committee.

The Measuring progress section of the plan has been updated with information about the Annual Monitoring report.

Find out more information about the measures for the outcomes and the Development Strategy:

The progress of the Development Strategy will be updated later in the year.

Responding to feedback

In response to a request from the Rainbow Communities Advisory Panel an update has been made. The reference to GLBTI people in the plan has been updated to LGBTIQ+.

In response to feedback from Central Government additional source information has been to a number of tables and supporting information in the development strategy.

Anticipated growth – where and when

  • Anticipated timeframe of development in existing urban area PDF update.
  • Anticipated development and employment capacities and timing for future urban area PDF update.
  • Anticipated development and employment capacities and timing for rural settlements PDF update.

November 2018 update

This first update covers:

  • central government reform relevant to directions in the plan
  • updates to the plan to reflect new sets of information and data
  • a new baseline measures report
  • changes to the plan in response to feedback.

Central government reform relevant to the plan

Recent central government reforms and initiatives related to housing indicate the Auckland Plan 2050 is providing a strong strategic direction for advocacy.

Homes and places outcome

Reform of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986

The proposed reforms, released for feedback in August 2018, are designed to improve security and stability for tenants. They maintain adequate protection of landlords’ interests. The reform also sets out to improve quality standards of boarding houses. The proposals are consistent with the Homes and Places outcome which recognises the reality of renting for many Aucklanders and the need for security of tenure.

In particular, the proposals are consistent with Homes and places - Focus area 2: Increase security of tenure and broaden the range of tenure models, particularly for those most in need.

Healthy Homes Standards

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development released the Healthy Homes Standards discussion document in September. It proposed changes to raise minimum quality standards for rental homes. This proposal would ensure that rental homes are warm and dry. This is consistent with the intent of the Homes and Places outcome which recognises the need to increase the quality of existing rental homes. In particular, this is consistent with:

Data and evidence updates

Belonging and Participation outcome

The plan includes data from the Quality of Life survey which measures the perceptions of over 7,000 New Zealanders by council area. The results of the 2018 Quality of Life survey have been released recently and updated in the plan.

The Belonging and participation outcome - Direction 1: Foster an inclusive Auckland where everyone belongs uses data from this survey. These updates are shown below.

​Development Strategy

The data showing new residential dwellings consented for 2017/2018 has been released. Auckland’s capacity for growth uses annual consented dwellings data.

This data is used to show recent patterns in

  • residential dwellings by type (detached/attached)
  • and whether inside or outside the 2010 Metropolitan Urban Limit.

The information in the plan has been updated to reflect the latest data.

​Baseline measures

The Auckland Plan 2050 identifies 33 measures to track progress of the plan. In November 2018 the Baseline measures report was presented to Auckland Council’s Planning Committee.

The Baseline measures report sets out the status of the 33 measures in the plan:

  • 16 measures have final 2018 baseline data sets
  • 10 measures will have final data sets available in 2019
  • 6 measures need further development of their data sets
  • 1 measure has been changed.

The Measuring progress section of the plan has been updated with information about the baseline measures.

Find out more information about the measures for the outcomes and the Development Strategy:

Under development

Five measures in the Environment and cultural heritage outcome need further development. Environmental data is currently collected and reported through different mechanisms for different needs and users. Composite measures (that combine different components of current reporting) are being developed.

One measure in the Homes and places outcome is under development. This measure is about “homelessness”. An appropriate data set for homelessness will be drawn from the cross-sectoral Homelessness plan once it is finalised.

Changed measure

The “Benefits of whānau Māori measured through tamariki and rangatahi” measure in the Māori Identity and Wellbeing outcome has been changed to “Whānau wellbeing”. Data sets for this changed measure will be more readily available.

Responding to feedback

Users of the plan have asked that data on the population of Auckland be more visible, particularly in the Auckland’s population page of the plan. In response to that feedback, the latest estimates have now been included on that page. As at 30 June 2017, the estimated population for the Auckland region was 1.66 million.

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