Dispelling myths: Reviewing the evidence on zoning reforms in Auckland

Stuart Donovan () and Matthew Maltman ()
Additional contact information
Stuart Donovan: Motu Economic and Public Policy Research
Matthew Maltman: e61 Institute

No 24_07, Working Papers from Motu Economic and Public Policy Research

Abstract: In 2016, the city of Auckland adopted zoning reforms that enabled more housing on approximately three-quarters of its urban land. Three subsequent studies have found that these reforms increased housing supply and reduced rents. Two economists have, however, criticised these studies on blogs and social media, describing their findings as a "myth". Despite their informal nature, these critiques have been cited in formal planning and policy processes. Here, we review these critiques and find them to have little to no merit. Specifically, the critiques misunderstand the papers' methods and rely on inappropriate analyses. In our view, there is remarkably robust evidence that zoning reforms increased housing supply and reduced rents in Auckland.

Keywords: housing; planning; zoning; supply; Auckland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C54 R31 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 41 pages
Date: 2024-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ure
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