Critical time for Auckland

The market has cooled somewhat when compared to last year. Photo / Jason Dorday

Around 60,000 people were added to Auckland's population last year, and each one needs a warm, dry home. But we know there are not enough to go around.

As landowners chip away at the housing shortage, the pressure on prices continues to mount - although the market has cooled somewhat when compared to last year.

But a close eye is needed on new developments to ensure they not only meet the needs of people wanting an affordable home, but are also designed in such a way as to contribute to the city's aesthetics.

Chris Kennedy, CEO of realtor Harcourts, says it's a critical time for the city.

He says: "If we get things wrong now, we risk parts of Auckland becoming pockets of ill-thought-out, ugly and poorly made construction.

"Like most Aucklanders, I love the city and want it to get bigger and better, not just bigger."

Kennedy says it is vital that future construction is well-planned, high quality and falls in line with the overall aim of making Auckland a beautiful and liveable city.

"A balance needs to be struck between optimising land use, timely construction and people's lifestyles."

Kennedy says higher density housing doesn't need to be ugly and quality should never be neglected to put more money in a developer's pocket.

"On the flip-side regulatory issues need to be streamlined to encourage developers. There needs to be strong guidance, not impediments," he says.

"Auckland Council should go into this phase of the city's evolution with purpose and vigilance, but also flexibility and vision.

"Talk to Aucklanders and, aside from the property market, the area of biggest concern is congestion on our roads and inadequate public transport. The city has become a stressful and unpleasant place to navigate.

"There is no easy fix to this and the situation will get worse if large scale developments start occurring across the city. More people will look to move outside of Auckland in pursuit of a better lifestyle than was possible here 15 years ago."

He says that unchecked population growth without adequate infrastructure will be problematic.

A pause in Auckland's growth while we catch up to where we need to be in terms of infrastructure, is vital, Kennedy says.