The Government has announced its plan to get New Zealand to zero carbon emissions by 2050, but more can be done with housing and buildings.

Property Council New Zealand (PCNZ) has congratulated the Government for taking the first step in sustainably reducing New Zealand’s emissions but thinks there’s more that could be done, says PCNZ Chief Executive Leonie Freeman.

“One of the biggest ways to reduce our emissions is to encourage high-quality intensification of our housing supply across our metropolitan centres and along transit routes. Given that nearly 35% of New Zealanders rent their home, we need solutions for density that delivers for renters.”

PCNZ has been working with the Government for years to unlock the potential of Build to Rent (BTR), a new way of housing Kiwis. BTRs are large, multi-unit residential developments, typically located centrally within cities and within walking distance to key transport links. These developments are professionally managed, with great amenities and offer residents great lifestyle options.

“If New Zealand could unleash the potential of BTR, we could deliver thousands of new high quality and high-density rental houses and deliver exactly the type of housing we need to reduce our emissions and meet our climate ambitions. We have made clear to policymakers what is needed for New Zealanders to have access to a warm, dry and climate-friendly BTR home. Sadly, we are still waiting for action to take advantage of this opportunity.

“Every month that we wait for policy changes, we miss out on hundreds of BTR homes. Over the course of this parliamentary term, over 8,000 BTR homes could have been enabled. Government inaction not only costs Kiwis a home but results in higher climate emissions,” says PCNZ Chief Executive Leonie Freeman.