Planning for a better tomorrow through the Future Development Strategy

The Future Development Strategy will direct future land use in Whangārei over the next 30 years.

Whangarei District Council and Northland Regional Council are required to prepare the Strategy as part of the Government’s National Policy Statement on Urban Development. 

Beyond being a requirement, a Future Development Strategy allows councils and communities to set a vision for their future, and then develop a plan for how to get there.

Whangārei’s draft Future Development Strategy outlines that bold vision for growth and investment in the District, which will allow others to join Council in delivering the outcomes for our communities. 

The Strategy also expands on the work of the 2021 Growth Strategy, Whangārei Housing and Business Land Capacity Assessments, and other plans and reports.

Whangārei District Growth Strategy 

Whangārei Housing and Business Land Capacity Assessments

The Future Development Strategy plans for:

• where to build houses, shops and industry
• identifying suitable areas for urban density, supporting more affordable housing and addressing long-term housing shortages 
• ensuring infrastructure decisions are well planned to support our changing communities and a changing environment
• providing safe and accessible ways to get from home to work, education, employment and activities
• recognising and protecting sites of historical and cultural significance
• planning for natural hazards and climate change.

No – the Future Development Strategy does not directly change land-use rules, but it does identify areas that may be subject to future plan changes to rezone them.

A more detailed assessment will be undertaken before any land is considered for rezoning.

Therefore, there is no certainty that land identified in the Future Development Strategy for future residential or business land use will be rezoned. 

Whangarei District Council has undertaken extensive engagement over a 10-month period.

Engagement has included:

• tangata whenua
• Central Government agencies
• infrastructure and asset owners, including electricity suppliers
• developers and other sectors, including community housing providers
• early engagement with the wider community using print media and social media.

They have helped to evaluate many growth and development options for Whangārei. 

Including an infrastructure project in the Future Development Strategy does not guarantee funding. Council funding decisions are made through the Long Term Plan process, which takes place every three years. 

The National Policy Statement for Urban Development requires Council to consider the Future Development Strategy when preparing our long-term plans.

Planning to a 30-year timeframe is challenging, as Central Government direction and priorities may change over that period. However, we are still required to produce a Future Development Strategy under the current legislation.

The Strategy must be reviewed every three years, and a new one must be prepared every six years. This regular update schedule will allow us to respond to changes in national policy direction.

Following the preparation of the Future Development Strategy, Whangarei District Council and Northland Regional Council will jointly prepare an implementation plan alongside tangata whenua and key stakeholders. 

The Strategy will also guide Council decision-making and inform our planning, including our resource management plans (e.g. the District Plan), infrastructure and transport plans, and our Long Term Plan.