Kāinga Ora selected the Northern Growth Area for assessment as a potential Specified Development Project (SDP) using the Government’s new urban development powers under the Urban Development Act 2020 (UDA).
SDPs provide a new way for Kāinga Ora to work with councils, iwi and private developers to coordinate, plan, fund and deliver transformational, complex urban development. Kāinga Ora led a period of public notification and feedback from 31 August 2023 to 29 September 2023. A project assessment report and a recommendation was given to the Minister of Finance and Minister of Housing (joint Ministers) in June 2024.
On Friday 21 March, the Joint Ministers of Housing and Finance made a decision to reject Kāinga Ora’s recommendation that the Northern Growth Area project be established as an SDP.
Partners (Porirua City Council, Kāinga Ora and Ngāti Toa Rangatira were advised of the Ministers’ decision, along with Greater Wellington Regional Council, Ministry of Education and New Zealand Transport Agency | Waka Kotahi. Major landowners and developers were also informed. Public notice of the decision was published in The Post and on the Kāinga Ora website on 21 March.
Urban development in the Northern Growth Area is still possible through existing statutory planning processes.
Variation 1 to the Proposed District Plan will continue to proceed through the Intensified Streamlined Planning Process, as mandated by the Government.
A Specified Development Project (SDP) provides a new way for Kāinga Ora to work with councils, iwi and private developers to coordinate, plan, fund and deliver transformational, complex urban development. It also involves the creation of a new governance entity to oversee development planning, funding and delivery.
For further information on the SDP, Kāinga Ora have established a Specified Development Project website – click here (https://specified-development-projects-kaingaora.hub.arcgis.com/). You will also find number of frequently asked questions on the site. however, If you find you still have any further questions , please contact Kāinga Ora at [email protected]
While Kāinga Ora undertakes the SDP assessment, Variation 1 to the Proposed District Plan will continue to proceed through the Intensified Streamlined Planning Process, as mandated by the Government.
