Skip to main content.

Urban issues

Latest news

Urban Design Toolkit [March 2009]
The Urban Design Toolkit is a compendium of tools that can be used to facilitate high-quality urban design. The Toolkit supports the implementation of the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol.

Review of Urban Design Case Law [November 2008]
This report presents findings from a review of urban design-related decisions made before July 2008 by the Environment Court (the Court) under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).

Urban Design Case Studies: Local Government [30 June 2008]
A new urban design guide featuring best practice case studies from nine local councils and developers in Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington, Kapiti and Hamilton.

Our Urban Environment

New Zealand is one of the most highly urbanised countries in the world with well over 87% of us living in urban areas. What happens with the design of our towns and cities is of huge relevance to all New Zealanders.

Urban Affairs is identified as a specific area of responsibility within the Environment portfolio. The Ministry for the Environment established an Urban Group to support the Minister’s responsibility for Urban Affairs and to provide central government leadership on urban issues.

Photo of Chancery, Auckland.

Chancery, Auckland. Photo courtesy of Isthmus Group.

The Value of Urban Design report shows that a well designed urban area has numerous economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits. Potential benefits include:

  • better public health
  • greater social equity
  • enhanced land values
  • a more vibrant local economy
  • reduced vehicle emissions
  • more sustainable use of non-renewable resources

Urban work programmes

The work that the Urban team does encompasses a variety of work programmes. These include:

  • The New Zealand Urban Design Protocol
    The Protocol provides a platform to make our towns and cities more successful through collectively sharing ideas and resources.
  • City and regional development
    The Urban team engages with central and local government on a number of city and regional development initiatives. This section includes information on our involvement in Auckland through the Auckland Government Urban and Economic Development Office (GUEDO) and land use and transport related initiatives.
  • Building and housing
    Ministry staff are currently working on several projects to help create healthier homes and more sustainable public buildings.

Links to other Ministry resources

Last updated: 26 March 2009