A Call for Smarter Intensification. Commitment to restoration reflects community desire.
For decades, many Aucklanders have made deep personal and financial investments to preserve the unique special character of Auckland. Homeowners have lovingly restored historic villas, maintained heritage features and worked hard to uphold the distinct identity of their suburbs. My own family has contributed to this legacy through the painstaking restoration of Hurstmere, one of Auckland’s oldest homes. Bringing Hurstmere back to its former glory was a labour of love and one that brought joy to many Aucklanders who value our shared heritage. Commitment to restoration protects what is special and irreplaceable in Auckland’s built environment.
A ‘one size fits all’ approach is not the answer
Many who have preserved our heritage and character see their efforts are now under threat. Auckland is at a crossroads. As New Zealand’s largest and fastest-growing city, we need to accommodate more people, but how we do that matters. Plan Change 78 (PC78) applied the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) across the city, a blunt instrument. A ‘one size fits all’ approach fast undermines the very qualities that make suburbs like Herne Bay, St Marys Bay, Ponsonby and Freemans Bay so unique. Like Parnell, Auckland’s first suburb, these suburbs are a living reflection of our history. They are full of character homes, mature trees and have a village feel that fosters community and connection. These areas have developed over generations with respect, care and thought. Now we have the proposed Plan Change 120 (PC120), open for submissions from 3 November. This will replace PC78.
Intensify, but not at the cost of our heritage and character
Councillors Christine Fletcher and Mike Lee have rightly pointed out that PC120 is a blueprint for Auckland’s future. It will determine what kind of city we become: whether we honour our history while planning for growth, or whether we trade away character and liveability in a numbers game. We must focus growth around the new City Rail Link (CRL) stations such as Uptown, where high-density development makes sense. These areas can accommodate more people efficiently, reduce reliance on cars and create their own vibrant urban hubs, but they must be supported by infrastructure, services, parks and good design that create community. Intensification without infrastructure is irresponsible. Our water systems are already under pressure. Our roads are congested. Our public transport is lacking. Cramming more people into under-served areas without solving these issues creates more problems. Sustainable density needs quality planning, not just zoning changes. Good planning also means protecting the irreplaceable. Auckland’s older suburbs are a rare asset. Their character is not just aesthetic, it’s functional. They offer human-scale streets, walkable communities and a strong sense of place. These areas have already absorbed growth over the years and continue to evolve.
Let’s protect our character for generations to come
There’s a line beyond which too much change becomes destruction. PC120 risks pushing us past that line. Applying zoning for blanket intensification indiscriminately across heritage suburbs ignores the significant contributions these neighbourhoods make to Auckland’s identity, tourism and civic pride. It undermines decades of work by homeowners, community groups and councils to protect and enhance our built heritage.
We can do better. The upcoming submission process for PC120 is a vital opportunity to advocate for a more thoughtful, place-based approach to growth, one that balances housing needs with heritage, infrastructure with environment and development with common sense.
Aucklanders deserve a city that grows with care. Let’s ensure that intensification is smart, infrastructure-led and focused where it makes sense.
To contact Sarah Trotman, in her capacity as a C&R Member, email her at sarahtrotman@outlook.com
To contact her, in her capacity as an Elected Member of Auckland Council’s Waitematā Local Board, email her at sarah.trotman@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or you can give her a call on M: 021 487 583.
Authorised by David Hay, 73 Carr Road, Mt Roskill
#ponsonbynews #iloveponsonby #loveponsonby #auckland #aucklandshippestrip #onlyponsonby #ponsonbyroad #Greylynn #freemansbay #westmere #ponsonby #hernebay #stmarysbay #archhill #coxsbay @followers #followers @everyone #everyone #waitematalocalboard @highlight
