Nearly 2,000 submissions show strong support for easing granny flat construction, as the government tackles housing affordability barriers
Proposals to simplify the process of building granny flats in New Zealand have received unprecedented public feedback.
Nearly 2,000 submissions were made during the June to August consultation period, more than double the previous record for building and construction consultations, according to RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk (pictured above, left to right).
“This is the highest number of submissions we’ve received for a building consultation,” Penk said. “It’s fantastic to see such strong engagement, especially from homeowners and building professionals, who represented around two-thirds of responses.”
The proposals aim to allow granny flats of up to 60 square metres to be built without requiring building or resource consent, provided they meet specific criteria.
Public interest highlights barriers and opportunities
The summary of submissions revealed widespread agreement that housing affordability is a major issue in New Zealand and that regulatory barriers make building smaller, affordable homes unnecessarily difficult.
“A common theme was that existing council and regulatory processes are too onerous,” Bishop said. “Our proposals are part of broader efforts to unlock land for housing, address infrastructure funding constraints, and reduce red tape.”
Many submitters supported expanding the scope of the proposals to include larger granny flats, extensions, and tiny homes, particularly for papakāinga housing to benefit Māori communities.
Financial and environmental considerations
More than half of submitters believed the changes would lead to financial savings, with 19% estimating potential savings of more than $15,000. However, many stressed the importance of managing risks related to building quality and environmental impacts, especially from natural hazards.
“Ensuring good consumer protections is central to this proposal,” Penk said. “Kiwis need confidence in the safety and quality of the built environment, but it’s possible to achieve this while making it faster and more affordable to build.”
Next steps and legislative timeline
The Ministries of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Environment, supported by the Department of Internal Affairs, are developing detailed advice for the government.
Legislation to amend the Building Act 2004 is expected to be introduced in 2024, with new National Environmental Standards for granny flats coming into effect by 2025.
“We are grateful to everyone who submitted on the proposals,” Bishop said. “This feedback will shape the next phase of policy design to ensure the workability of these changes.”
Guidance materials will be produced to help the public and professionals understand and use the new rules once implemented.
A summary of submissions is available on the MBIE website. For more information, read these two media releases: "Summary of submissions on granny flat consultation released "and "Record number of submissions received on granny flat proposal".
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