We undertook an independent review of proposed planning policies from five councils across the Wellington Region seeking to implement the Government’s mandated Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS).

The review focused on how urban elements were arranged to achieve greater residential intensity while maintaining coherent and functional urban form. It examined whether the proposed planning frameworks would successfully deliver well-designed, higher-density neighbourhoods.

A key component of the work involved testing the councils’ proposed policies and implementation methods against alternative development concepts advanced through submissions by Kāinga Ora. This comparative analysis provided a robust assessment of the effectiveness, feasibility, and urban design outcomes of each approach.

The process generated substantial technical and urban design evidence, which was prepared and presented to independent hearing panels as part of the formal plan change process.