Shopless Reflecting on Environmental Considerations in the NZ Housing Industry

Environmental Considerations in the NZ Housing Industry.

New Zealand is renowned for its untouched and untamed natural beauty, but as a country it is currently not a leader in climate change. As of 2022 the current ranking of NZ on the climate change performance index (CCPI) is 35th, a drop of 7 spaces from the previous year. The main focus of the NZ government contributions towards the climate change crisis has been lowering fuel emissions. With fees and surcharges on imported cars with higher emissions. Building and housing also have a major environmental impact, particularly with city expansion and high demand for new builds. Shopless online marketplace looks at the housing sector of New Zealand and the changes that are being implemented to see a more sustainable future.

The NZ Governmental Approach on Housing and the Environment

In 2021 the New Zealand government repealed the current resource management act, in its place opting for three new laws to consider environmental regulation, strategic planning for future development, and climate change adaptation. While this has been a welcome approach from the previous RMA, there is caution from environmental groups in their support of the new laws. This is because it is understood that it will take a significant period of time for the laws to have an effect. Additionally groups such as Greenpeace believe that consideration of the environment should be the forefront of any building regulation. These laws have not yet come into effect but there is debate as to whether the regulation of the biodiversity impacts of new builds will have a significant impact. Or just create a rise in house and building prices. 

Environmental Solutions in Housing

One of the key factors that has been floated governmentally is creating more of an internal ecosystem economically and industrially. This means utilising New Zealand resources rather than importing supplies globally. Additionally the government aims to focus on waterways and carbon emissions. In the building and housing industry this is a focus on where the subdivisions and housing allotments are located as well as the waste produced by the creation of new subdivisions. There are currently laws and regulations in place to monitor the waste and emissions. And proposals to ensure a more established approach to these regulations have been suggested in creating more environmental regulation in the housing sector. 

Approach of the ‘Garden City’ – Christchurch.

The current climate of the build regulations in New Zealand mean that the environmental efforts are often the council responsibility. And communication between building and environment departments is key. Christchurch is one city where sustainability and environment is important in the expansion of the city, keeping intact the “Garden City” image. New and extensive subdivisions in Christchurch have caused the council to re-evaluate how they preserve the natural environment. Christchurch symbolically has many trees and shrubbery lining the streets and subdivisions. However with new subdivisions being created and expanded, the traditional approach of planting within the subdivisions has been avoided by developers. A recent survey by the Christchurch city council showed about 13.5 per cent of the city was covered by tree canopy. This is lower than in 2015/16, when it was 15.6 per cent. The city council attributed this loss to recent tree felling in Bottle Lake and Mcleans Island. As well as extensive growth in subdivisions particularly in the outer suburbs of Christchurch, expanding the scope of the city. 

Cantabrians have also been concerned about the government push for increased housing, impacting the public plantations, and the density of plants in suburban areas. Subsequently the local council is working towards plans to boost tree canopy. Saying they will provide “a long-term vision and strategy to maximise the health and sustainability of the city’s urban trees and forests and the benefits we receive from them”.

There are many initiatives in motion to create a more environmental approach to the NZ building and housing industry. Currently due to New Zealand’s housing affordability crisis and major housing developments, the approach taken has seemingly been limited and ineffective. However there are definitely considerations being made, particularly on a local level, to work towards a cleaner greener future in the housing sector. To view houses in New Zealand or to list a house for sale, visit the Shopless real estate section.

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