News Release
15 March 2013

Engagement on new rulebook for Auckland begins

Mayor Len Brown and Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse today launched a 10-week public engagement period on the draft Auckland Unitary Plan, the planning rulebook that will shape Auckland’s future growth.

The Unitary Plan will allow for more, better quality urban intensification in Auckland and expand the existing city to a new rural-urban boundary, while protecting the region’s natural resources.

“The Unitary Plan will ensure that as our city grows we can protect the things Aucklanders value the most - great urban and rural environments, our heritage – and allow us to provide an effective, integrated transport system and genuine housing choices,” says Len Brown.

“Aucklanders have told us they want Auckland to be a modern, liveable city, with a compact urban footprint and more affordable housing. They don’t want unconstrained urban sprawl or the hands-off approach to urban development we’ve had since the 1950s.”

Penny Hulse, who has led development of the plan as Chair of the Auckland Plan Committee says, “All our communities, including the business community, have told us that they want the best plan possible and quality outcomes for all of Auckland. The next 10 weeks are a chance for all Aucklanders to have their say on the plan.”

“This draft is likely to generate some strong opinions because it tackles things Aucklanders feel passionately about. That strength of opinion is exactly why we are asking Aucklanders to have a long, hard look at it and how it affects them. It is important that we have a robust, fact-based discussion about the issues and opportunities facing us as a region.”

The Unitary Plan will eventually replace Auckland’s 14 existing district and regional plans with a simpler set of rules governing the management of the built and natural environment for Auckland, including:
• Building heights and density
• Historic character and heritage
• Coastal and natural environments, including air and water quality
• Rural land, including a new Rural Urban Boundary and protecting productive rural land
• Open space zones such as parks, recreation areas and civic spaces
• The character of local communities
• Infrastructure such as roads, schools and commercial developments

Full details about the draft plan and how to give feedback are available at www.shapeauckland.co.nz

Ends

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"Unlawful, Unjustified And Unreasonable": Report Into Urewera Raids Finds Police Acted Unlawfully

Independent Police Conduct Authority Chair Judge Sir David Carruthers said today that the decision by the then Commissioner of Police to undertake the operation in Ruatoki Valley and elsewhere on 15 October 2007 was reasonable and justified.

“However, the road blocks established by Police at Ruatoki and Taneatua were unlawful, unjustified and unreasonable... Police had no legal basis for stopping and searching vehicles or photographing drivers or passengers,” he said...

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