National needs to stop acting casual about RMA reform

May 1, 2015. 3:40pm

ACT is challenging the government to give up on small-time interventions like HomeStart and special housing areas, and instead take RMA reform seriously.

“Let’s bypass unproductive debate over ad-hoc market interventions like HomeStart, capital gains taxes, speculation restrictions, and special housing areas and instead focus on real reform," said ACT Leader David Seymour.

“Failure to comprehensively reform the RMA will ensure house prices continue to skyrocket, and force more New Zealanders out of the housing market and into rental accommodation.

“Evidence from the US and elsewhere is clear: restrictive planning policies make housing markets unable to respond to demand and vulnerable to bubbles, as we see here in New Zealand.

“Regulations such as Auckland’s Rural-Urban Boundary form a literal barrier against building sorely needed houses, impoverishing the nation.

“Today I am releasing a summary of research which paints a damning picture of the effect of housing supply restrictions on affordability. If ever there was a time to put aside tinkering and embark on genuine reform, it is now.”

ENDS

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