Development and Property

Thanks for checking our Frequently Asked Questions.  We also have a list of useful links at the top of each page which may help with your question. 

Please feel free to contact us at info@audo.co.nz at any time.

General Enquiries

What does the AUDO do?

The Auckland Urban Development Office offers a single, coordinated entry point into Auckland Council for commercial-scale development.  This includes large projects located in growth or regeneration areas, multi-stage, mixed-use or city-shaping in nature.  Early engagement through AUDO is intended to improve clarity and reduce uncertainty as projects progress. All formal decisions continue to be made through Auckland Council’s established regulatory frameworks. Smaller or straightforward developments won’t generally need AUDO assistance and should continue through Auckland Council’s standard consenting pathways.

How can the AUDO help development?

The AUDO does not replace statutory planning or consenting processes and does not guarantee approvals.   The AUDO works with large-scale developments to offer early, upfront guidance on planning rules, infrastructure, and policy settings.  Our team can assist with clarity on council expectations before a developer commits significant time or cost and offer coordinated advice across planning, transport, water and other council teams.  

How can I get in touch?

Please email us any general enquiries at info@audo.co.nz.  If we can’t answer your query directly, we will be able to connect you with others who can.  

I have a question about my resource consent/building consent – can you help?

Please call (09) 301 0101 and ask to speak to the consent team to discuss building or resource consents. For advice, ask to speak to the planning or building help desk. Have your consent number and property address ready.

If your question is about how to lodge a consent, there is a really useful online resource here.  Our best tip when lodging one is to provide as much information as you can and complete all required fields.  This will help ensure there are not hold ups further through the process.

If your question is about a consent you have already lodged, you should have received some contact details in the acknowledgement.  If you can’t find those, there is further information here.

The Infrastructure Investment and Phasing team also offer an additional Integrated Workstream Structure service for those working on large-scale complex projects assisted by Auckland Council’s premium service for resource consents – you can find contact details for the IIP team here (link to web page)

You can also send your question to us as info@audo.co.nz and we will put you in touch with someone from the consenting team who can help.  

I have a product you may be interested in purchasing, who do I talk to?

You can find out more about how Auckland Council buys products and services here.  All Auckland Council procurement is managed by this centralised team.

Is the council open to unsolicited bid proposals? Who do I talk to about this?

Council is currently in the process of updating its current Unsolicited Bid Guidelines with a refreshed Market-led Proposals guide. This new guide is intended to be finalised in the next month including a new portal and approach to receiving and assessing proposals. We will update the market when the new Market-led guidance is live.  In the meantime, please email us at info@audo.co.nz and we’ll put you in touch with someone who can help.

I have a question about flood plains, where can I find more information?

Auckland Council offers a free Flood Viewer tool that offers handy links to information on flood plains, flood prone areas, overland flow paths and coastal inundation.  Find out more here.

I would like to hold an event on council land.  Where do I start?

If you intend to use council-owned land, such as parks or reserves, then you will need to get the council’s landowner approval.  You’ll find out how to do that here.

I would like to know more about Plane Change 120.  Where can I find this information?

Information on all Auckland Council plans, policies, bylaws, reports and projects are available on Auckland Council’s website here, including specific information on Plan Change 120 (PC120).  You can also find handy question and answers on PC120 the OurAuckland website here.

Is council open to cost sharing in key infrastructure upgrades that are required to enable development in brownfield areas?

Council has several levers it can use to enable development in brownfield areas and needs to ensure a balance between this and ensuring the best outcomes for ratepayers. We need to use what money we have wisely.  Council will invest in the areas is makes the most sense and while we are open to further discussion it is important to underline that the outcome may not be the one expected.  Please feel free to contact us in the first instance at info@audo.co.nz and we will put you in touch with the right team to assist.

I own an adjacent site to a council site and I’m keen to know if you’d like to buy it?

Great, we’re always open to talking about opportunities and keen to be in touch.  Please drop us an email at info@audo.co.nz and we’ll be in touch.

I'm interested in exploring an urban regeneration opportunity in a town centre. How do i find out what's involved?

Excellent!  We would love to talk to you.  Please email us at info@audo.co.nz and we’ll be in touch. 

Our Sales Process

Who decides what sites to sell?

Auckland Council’s Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee ultimately makes the decision on what council sites are made available to sell.  Generally, these fall into two types of property, larger brownfield sites with specific development outcomes which are managed by the AUDO Development team, and smaller sites deemed no longer required to support future council activity which are sold on the open market by the Property department. 

What sites do you have available for sale?

All current sites for sale are listed here. here.  We also have a pipeline of property coming to the market, so if you have an interest in sites in a particular area, please email us at info@audo.co.nz and let us know what you’re looking for.  We might not have something immediately available, but we will keep in touch so that we can let you know when we do.

What condition is the land you’re selling in?

The condition will be specified in the listing, however generally council only sells brownfields sites where development has happened before.  These could be anything from at grade car parks to commercial buildings in town centres, and residential land with or without housing across the region. There is a small exception to the rule with master planned communities such as Hobsonville Point and Ormiston Town Centre, where over time provision has been made for new homes and the necessary supporting infrastructure and amenity to enable development.

What can I develop on land purchased from Auckland Council?

If it’s a site with specific development outcomes, the sale will be governed by a Development Agreement (DA) which indicates what is to be built.  Each DA is different and site specific, but could include build typology, sustainability targets and even enhancements for the surrounding community, for example public accessways.  If the site is a straightforward sale, then the purchaser can use or redevelop it as they wish in line with current resource and building consent provisions.

Are there any settlement options available on the land?

We appreciate the current development market is flat and developers are naturally cautious about their investments.  The AUDO understands the challenges developers face and the need to be flexible to encourage development, and are open to negotiation. Partnership is a core part of the relationship AUDO has with the development community.

Do I have to build any affordable housing?

One of our key priorities is to encourage the development of housing where it makes sense and appreciate market demand and site location will often dictate what is feasible.  We work with a variety of partners on a range of typologies catering for as wide a market as possible. 

How do you work with mana whenua?

We work in genuine partnership with our mana whenua partners, many of whom are accomplished developers in their own right. This approach ensures they are well-informed about emerging opportunities and actively encouraged to participate, either independently or in collaboration with others. Their leadership, deep cultural knowledge, and development expertise are integral to shaping a thriving and inclusive future for Tāmaki Makaurau.  If you have not worked with mana whenua previously we have a dedicated Māori Outcomes team who will support you.