One of the sites unveiled by the Government for housing in Auckland turns out not to be fully Crown-owned land.
Crown land at Manukau in Auckland that has been identified for housing. The site is opposite the Manukau Institute of Technology and alongside the southwestern motorway. Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson
The Government thought the site in central Manukau was owned by its Transport Agency but has now confirmed most of it belongs to Auckland Council.
It was one of the blocks the Government unveiled on 29 May making up 500 hectares of surplus Crown land that could be suitable for housing.
Nick Smith speaking to reporters on Crown land being considered for housing development in Manukau (file). Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson
In response to a query from Radio New Zealand News, the office of Building and Housing Minister Nick Smith has confirmed the Manukau land is partly council-owned.
Auckland Council is happy for the land to be developed and is entering negotiations with the Government.
The Government's initial estimate was that 60 terraced houses could be built on the land.
Auckland deputy mayor Penny Hulse said they were keen to look at the site's potential.
"We're keen to look at perhaps mixed use between commercial and residential," she said.
"We've got a height limit under the new Unitary Plan of about 18 storeys so there's some potential to do some really good things on that site."
