Government changes to allow higher and denser housing

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Consultation has concluded

Results of community engagement can be found in this report. 

The draft housing intensification change to the District Plan will be available for formal public submissions from 18 August - 9 September 2022.  Head to hutt.city/PC56 for more information on the plan and how to make a submission. 


The Government passed a law in late 2021 to allow housing up to three storeys high in most residential areas, without requiring council planning permission (resource consent). Council is also required to allow housing of at least six storeys within walking distance of our train stations, the CBD and the Petone commercial area. More housing (also known as intensification) will also be allowed in residential areas such as the suburban centres of Avalon, Eastbourne, Moera, Stokes Valley and Wainuiomata.

Council is only able to limit these requirements in specific circumstances such as identified natural hazard and heritage areas.

This law means a change to council’s work on the District Plan review that was already underway. The District Plan is the main document that sets the rules for managing land use and development within our city.

Council has voted to focus on making the necessary changes to the District Plan to include these requirements. This will enable Hutt City Council to make the intensification changes that are required by the government deadline of 20 August.

Council has prepared a detailed outline of what these changes will mean for Lower Hutt, with maps showing the areas where the changes may occur. We are now seeking feedback from the community and other interested parties on these changes.

Have your say

The new government requirements mean councils and communities can place fewer restrictions on development. However, there are still factors that the public can influence, and we would like to hear your views. For more information of changes and what you can influence click here.

Councils can’t restrict the government’s new housing rules, but with your input, we can adjust some of the building and development rules to ensure the best possible housing and environmental outcomes for Lower Hutt residents.

Note: While buildings would be able to be three or six storeys, it doesn’t mean they must be built to this height. Local demand will still have a significant influence on what is built. 

Consultation has closed. Council will consider feedback before releasing a proposed plan to the public for submissions in August 2022. 

Results of community engagement can be found in this report. 

The draft housing intensification change to the District Plan will be available for formal public submissions from 18 August - 9 September 2022.  Head to hutt.city/PC56 for more information on the plan and how to make a submission. 


The Government passed a law in late 2021 to allow housing up to three storeys high in most residential areas, without requiring council planning permission (resource consent). Council is also required to allow housing of at least six storeys within walking distance of our train stations, the CBD and the Petone commercial area. More housing (also known as intensification) will also be allowed in residential areas such as the suburban centres of Avalon, Eastbourne, Moera, Stokes Valley and Wainuiomata.

Council is only able to limit these requirements in specific circumstances such as identified natural hazard and heritage areas.

This law means a change to council’s work on the District Plan review that was already underway. The District Plan is the main document that sets the rules for managing land use and development within our city.

Council has voted to focus on making the necessary changes to the District Plan to include these requirements. This will enable Hutt City Council to make the intensification changes that are required by the government deadline of 20 August.

Council has prepared a detailed outline of what these changes will mean for Lower Hutt, with maps showing the areas where the changes may occur. We are now seeking feedback from the community and other interested parties on these changes.

Have your say

The new government requirements mean councils and communities can place fewer restrictions on development. However, there are still factors that the public can influence, and we would like to hear your views. For more information of changes and what you can influence click here.

Councils can’t restrict the government’s new housing rules, but with your input, we can adjust some of the building and development rules to ensure the best possible housing and environmental outcomes for Lower Hutt residents.

Note: While buildings would be able to be three or six storeys, it doesn’t mean they must be built to this height. Local demand will still have a significant influence on what is built. 

Consultation has closed. Council will consider feedback before releasing a proposed plan to the public for submissions in August 2022. 
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Feedback form


    Central Government has mandated the changes around building height and density across our city. However, your feedback can help us to shape how some of the details might work for Lower Hutt. 

    The feedback form will take about 10 minutes to complete. None of the questions are mandatory. Your responses are confidential to the project team and all responses will be grouped for reporting purposes, so no individual is identifiable.

    The collection of this data is in line with the Privacy Act 2020. For more details on how Council uses the data it collects please see our Privacy Policy.  

    The survey will close at 5pm Friday 29 April 2022.

    Consultation has concluded
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