Labour and National have joined forces behind a radical new housing policy, the Housing Supply Bill, which they say will help address the housing crisis by allowing as many as 105,500 new homes to be built in less than a decade.
Auckland councillor Chris Fletcher has landed herself in hot water after likening Labour and National's new housing policy for Auckland to "gang rape".
During a discussion at a planning committee meeting today on the parties' plans for greater intensification, Fletcher said the legislation for the new housing policy was tantamount to "rape".
"I see it as tantamount to the rape of Auckland. I can't believe a piece of legislation with significance such as this is going to be rushed in such a way."
Auckland councillor Chris Fletcher. Photo / File
Councillor Cathy Casey was appalled at the reference to rape and wanted Fletcher to withdraw the comment.
"I have no intention of withdrawing, and furthermore I'd say it's gang rape because it's by both Labour and National, and I'm appalled," Fletcher said.
She then tried a different choice of words.
Cathy Casey was appalled at the reference to rape and wanted Chris Fletcher to withdraw the comment. Photo / Jason Oxenham
"I will withdraw those words and replace with the 'non-consensual molestation of Auckland'," Fletcher said.
Committee chairman Chris Darby asked the Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa ward councillor to withdraw the comment. Instead, she said the plans were "gang rape" - a reference to the policy being done by two parties.
After a further request from Darby, Fletcher agreed to withdraw the comments.
Councillor Josephine Bartley was also upset by the comments.
I am still shaking how dare you equate housing intensification of akld to rape and gang rape how dare you. I am deeply offended I don’t care about council rules that she withdrew her statement it was so so wrong. As a woman how insensitive and irresponsible. Just wrong.
"To use the words you used in insensitive, offensive. I'm deeply upset about those words being used in that context.
"It's just so wrong to do that, and I don't know how you use can use that in terms of housing and development. It's just wrong," she said during the meeting.
Committee chairman Chris Darby had to request Christine Fletcher withdraw the comments twice before she did so. Photo / Dean Purcell
Bartley said she expected more from a senior councillor and would like Fletcher to offer an apology.
"I'm really sorry that happened in an Auckland council planning committee meeting talking about planning.
"I am so sorry for the women that would have heard that or would be hearing it and will be triggered by it. It's just unacceptable and irresponsible."
Fletcher said it wasn't her intention to offend anyone and she stands behind her views on the housing policy.
"I did not too intend to offend but nor do I feel apologetic for standing up for the Auckland I love."
She believes that the legislation will take rights off Aucklanders.
"I'm really feeling that Auckland is under attack, possibly I should have used the word plunder but I talked about the rape of Auckland and the landscape," she said.
Under their plan, developers will be able to build up to three homes of up to three storeys on most sites without the need for resource consent, even in some rural areas like Algies Bay and Maraetai.
