June 18, 2024
Plug in papakainga with granny flat option
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New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones says making it easier to build granny flats could help Māori tackle the housing crisis.
The Government has called for submissions on its plan to change the Building Act and resource consent settings for structures of up to 60 square metres.
It proposes small dwellings can be built in rural and residential zones without a building or resource consent as long as they meet criteria addressing structural integrity, fire safety, weathertightness and sanitation.
Mr Jones says he expects the market will deliver a range of options.
“If whanau and other providers can simplify the delivery of either factor¥ made or made on site 60 metre square granny flats where one or two people can live in them and you can proceed without the inevitable bureacratic interference, I think you will see providers such as papakainga, garden-variety Kiwis using this option,” he says.
Mr Jones says as a minister in the Helen Clark Government he opened the door for 10 metre square cabins, New Zealand FIrst’s coalition with Labour allowed for 30 square metre structures.