Shamubeel Eaqub The Government will focus on Resource Management Act and local government reform to create more land supply and housing, says Shamubeel Eaqub, NZIER principal economist.
"RMA reforms have been long in the pipeline so it will be about getting it clarified and bedded in. The local government arena is harder as there is a need for some innovative policies," Eaqub said. "As we saw with the Draft Unitary Plan, many options for density and height were rejected - and went backwards in some areas - during the consultation process as the Nimbys got the upper hand. While planners in the council are routinely targeted for vilification, that is unfair."
"The current system does not allow us to have a broad urban strategy that will unshackle Auckland to grow and compete with other global cities. Both of these are big policy areas and will take some time to do well. In the meantime, existing policies on Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas will continue," he said.
But overall, National had a clear mandate which was important to effect change, Eaqub said.
