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The Rise and Prevalence of Medium Density Housing
- Bill Zhao
- Jul 17
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 23
Driving around New Zealand, you’ll find it impossible to miss these tall, modern, an
d perhaps imposing townhouses, often found resting between their more traditional, single-storey suburban counterpart. Frequently seen sporting sharp edges and contemporary design sensibilities, these boxy buildings have a good reason for being here.
Why the Medium Density Boom?
These new townhouses may stand out, but their prevalence has been in response to growing concerns amidst New Zealand’s housing crises; including affordability, urban population growth, and the changing preferences of new homeowner generations. Furthermore, in 2022, changes to Auckland policy allowed for the construction of three houses of up to three storeys on most urban sites, with lifted resource consent restrictions, affording builders more freedom in erecting medium density homes. With a dearth of property space combined with a rise in population, it comes as no surprise that Auckland in particular has become home to a wealth of medium density residences.
What Do They Offer?
Multiple residences in one location: Townhouses often feature a number of variations of themselves in one location. If the location fits, but the number of bedrooms doesn’t, you’ll likely find a more appropriate arrangement on the same lot.
More entry-level options: The shared land footprint reduces individual property prices without sacrificing function. Typically offering a variety of housing types, each townhouse development caters to everyone from first time homeowners to experienced families.
Efficiency and compatibility: New Zealand’s car-centric nature encouraged urban sprawl and resulted in longer travel times. Townhouses provide the chance for people to live closer to city centres and reduce urban sprawl, preserving more of New Zealand’s green space.
Medium density housing isn’t just an assortment of tall homes; it is a relevant answer to one of New Zealand’s most prevalent problems. As more homeowners adopt the townhouse, it can be assured that these developments will only continue to improve and remain vitally important to New Zealand’s housing mission.
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