Candidates broadly back proposals

Labour MP and mayoral candidate Phil Goff says he supports the overall thrust of the new rulebook for Auckland but accepts some change in detail may be needed as council considers the recommendations.

Goff did not specify what change that was, but said the plan provides an opportunity to make important changes.

“Transport and housing are the two most critical challenges facing the city. They must be tackled together which is why intensification around town and city centres, transport hubs and arterial routes is critical,” he said.

The blueprint for Auckland sets out a future for the city with more apartment living and rural towns becoming big satellite suburbs.

An independent hearings panel made the recommendations based on the need to build more than 400,000 houses to accommodate another one million people by 2041.

Right-leaning mayoral candidate Vic Crone welcomed the decision to extend the rural urban boundary.

“The balance between building up and out on the face of it looks good with 40 per cent of greenfield land.

“I’d like to have seen a much closer correlation between intensification and public transport. There are areas we’re intensifying that are removed from public transport options,” Crone said.

Mayoral candidate David Hay said the panel had done an excellent job.

“They have made decisions that needed to be made, which the Auckland Council has had neither the courage nor foresight to make itself.”