The recent release of the Government’s Emission Reduction Plan highlights that all industries need to play a role in driving sustainable outcomes for New Zealand, Property Council New Zealand chief executive Leonie Freeman says.
“We congratulate the Government for taking the first step in sustainably reducing New Zealand’s emissions. This is all part of a wider conversation, which the property sector is excited to be a part of,” Freeman says.
“The announcement highlights the important need to reduce New Zealand’s emissions and meet our climate targets. While we support the Government’s direction, we think there’s more that could be done.
“One of the biggest ways to reduce our emissions is to encourage high quality intensification of our housing supply across our metropolitan centres and along transit routes.
“Given that nearly 35% of New Zealanders rent their home, we need solutions for density that delivers for renters.”
“Property Council has been working with the Government for years to unlock the potential of Build to Rent (BTR), a new way of housing Kiwis.
“BTR is large, multi-unit residential developments, typically located centrally within cities and within walking distance to key transport links. These developments are professionally managed with great amenities, and offer residents great lifestyle options.”
“If New Zealand could unleash the potential of BTR, we could deliver thousands of new high quality and high-density rental houses, and deliver exactly the type of housing we need to reduce our emissions and meet our climate ambitions.
“We have made clear to policy makers what is needed for New Zealanders to have access to a warm, dry and climate-friendly BTR home. Sadly, we are still waiting for action to take advantage of this opportunity.
“Every month that we wait for policy changes, we miss out on hundreds of BTR homes.
“Over the course of this parliamentary term, over 8000 BTR homes could have been enabled.
“Government inaction not only costs Kiwis a home, but results in higher climate emissions.
“The longer the wait for BTR, the higher the cost. The Property Council will be releasing a monthly count of the number of warm, dry and climate-friendly BTR homes that government inaction has cost New Zealand.”
“For the month of May 2022, the number is 1002 homes that either could have been completed or could have been in the planning stages if the Government had acted early in their term.
“Already 2706 Kiwis have missed out on a BTR home, with the figures growing by the day.”
View the counter at www.propertynz.co.nz/build-to-rent.
