All Around the World - New Zealand

This is the fourth of a series of episodes being led by the oldest friend of the podcast, Paul Smith. Paul put it to Sam Stafford that debates about the planning system in England tend, for the most part, to focus solely on the planning system in England. We very seldom look to other countries for inspiration and ideas. Paul wanted to remedy that and so in this series he is chatting with planning professionals and academics from a number of countries to find out what works well there, what works less well, and what can we learn. In this episode Paul chats to Stuart Donovan about planning in New Zealand. Stuart is an economist and Senior Fellow with Motu Research, an independent Wellington-based economics and public policy institute. During a conversation recorded online in January 2026 Paul and Stewart talk about why Auckland became one of the least affordable housing markets in the world and how the opportunities for upzoning presented by an earthquake in Christchurch and local government reorganisation in Auckland became so successful that they were ultimately replicated nationally. Some accompanying reading. Up-zoning New Zealand: the localisation of a globally mobile policy idea Dispelling Myths – reviewing the evidence of zoning reforms in Auckland Going it alone: the impact of upzoning on housing construction in Lower Hutt https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1051137724000512 New Zealand shows how planning reform will end Britain’s housing crisis Buckaroo! The burdens that have become a big problem for house building Some accompanying viewing. Planning on the Frontline: Navigating Abuse, Misinformation and Public Pressure Some accompanying listening. Flight of the Conchords - Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros Any other business. If you enjoy the episode do please consider bolstering Sam's fragile self-esteem by leaving the podcast a nice rating and a nice review wherever you listened to it. Obviously though if you have not enjoyed it then please do not leave a review, but do please feel free to let Sam know why (via [email protected] or the 50 Shades WhatsApp Community). Feedback on 50 Shades episodes is always welcome. If you have enjoyed to the extent that you feel compelled to share the podcast on one your social platforms then, if you tag Sam, you will be entitled to an exclusive and much-sought after 50 Shades of Planning mug. If you are a new listener do please check out the back catalogue where you will find episodes on myriad planning topics, as well as the other episodes in the All Around the World series, and remember that by subscribing new episodes will magically appear in your phone as soon as Sam has published them. 50 Shades of Planning is the podcast by planners and for planners and so if you would like to use it as a platform for sharing anything you think that the sector needs to be talking about then you are also very welcome to get in touch with Sam. Sam is grateful to Richborough, Town Legal and Tyler Grange for supporting the podcast; to Vistry for sponsoring the 50 Shades mugs; and to Rachael Cooper and Adrian Meehan for recording and editing this episode.