The Government Policy Statement on Housing and Urban Development (GPS-HUD) will set a long-term vision for housing and urban development in New Zealand and guide the actions of the Government and others in working towards that vision.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD) has released a discussion document proposing the vision, outcomes, focus areas and actions that will shape housing and urban development over the next 30 years.
MHUD have asked for feedback on the proposals through an online survey. The consultation period ends on 30 July 2021. MHUD will use the feedback to help shape the GPS-HUD that is expected to be published in October 2021. The discussion document and a summary of proposals can be found on MHUD’s website.
What is the GPS-HUD?
The GPS-HUD will set the Government’s long-term vision for housing and urban development in New Zealand. It aims to ensure that investment streams, regulatory interventions and policies are aligned across agencies and entities to deliver and enable changes, at pace and scale, across New Zealand.
The GPS-HUD will set out how Government agencies and entities will support the Government’s vision for housing and urban development in New Zealand by:
- providing direct support for, and reliable investment in, people and communities;
- providing fit-for-purpose regulatory, institutional, and policy settings;
- partnering with iwi and Māori to bring innovation and leadership with Māori, by Māori for Māori, in line with the existing Te Maihi o te Whare Māori – Māori and Iwi Housing Innovation framework for action; and
- reducing emissions and building climate resilient homes and communities.
The GPS-HUD will shape future government policy, investment and work programmes.
What does the discussion document propose?
The discussion document proposes a vision, outcomes, focus areas, and ways of working to shape housing and urban development in New Zealand.
The vision is for everyone in New Zealand to live in a healthy, secure and affordable home that meets their needs, within a thriving, inclusive and sustainable community. The desired outcomes are thriving communities, wellbeing through housing, partnering for Māori housing and urban solutions, and an adaptive and responsive system.
Six focus areas are proposed to help achieve the vision and outcomes:
- Provide accessible, safe, warm, dry and affordable homes that meet people’s needs – to ensure that every New Zealander has an accessible, safe, warm, dry and affordable home to call their own (as renters or owners).
- Ensure that more affordable houses are built – create a housing and land market that credibly responds to population growth and changing housing preferences, that is competitive and affordable, well-planned and regulated.
- Meet long-term climate, social, environmental, cultural, and economic challenges and opportunities – communities are equipped to meet long term climate, social, environmental, cultural and economic challenges and opportunities.
- Realise Māori-driven housing and urban solutions for iwi and Māori – the right to self-determine better housing and urban development solutions.
- Reduce homelessness – people to have access to adequate housing and support services.
- Reduce speculative investment in housing, making home ownership more accessible – reduce speculative investment in existing housing stock, making home ownership more accessible for first home buyers, and supporting a more productive, resilient and inclusive economy.
MHUD propose to implement four new ways of working to achieve the vision and outcomes:
- Te Maihi o te Whare Māori – Government, iwi and Māori work collaboratively to drive tailored and enduring solutions to meet Māori housing and urban development aspirations.
- Place-based approaches – Communities need tailored solutions that are targeted and developed collaboratively.
- Genuine and enduring partnerships – Effective relationships, coordinated planning, investment and decision-making will deliver outcomes and support capability and capacity across the system.
- Sustainable and reliable funding – The system needs long-term, sustainable sources of funding and financing (both private and public) to support and incentivise housing and urban development outcomes.
What are MHUD seeking feedback on?
Through the public consultation, MHUD are seeking to:
- test the proposed vision and outcomes for housing and urban development;
- obtain feedback on the proposed focus areas and actions;
- identify areas where others can contribute, in support of the GPS-HUD; and
- identify opportunities for government to better support and enable others to deliver.
What next?
MHUD are accepting feedback via an online survey or you may email your feedback to MHUD directly. The consultation period ends on 30 July 2021. MHUD expect to release the final GPS-HUD on 1 October 2021.
If you need help to make a submission, or have any questions abut the GPS-HUD, please get in touch with one of our experts.
