Christopher Luxon: Prime Minister takes talkback, discusses infrastructure, housing intensification, polls

The Government will today reveal its back down on controversial Auckland housing intensification plans amid fierce public criticism.   New planning rules would currently allow another 2 million homes in Auckland.  But last month the Government announced it'll water down the rules with an announcement expected this afternoon.   Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Kerre Woodham a balance needs to be struck.   He says Auckland has to grow with affordable housing, but quite rightly some Aucklanders have said they don't want big buildings next to their homes.  He’s also allaying concerns about a proposal for a $9 toll on Auckland's Harbour Bridge.  The Infrastructure Commission recommended tolling the existing bridge, and second new crossing, to reduce construction costs on the Crown.   But Luxon told Woodham it's only an idea.   He says the Government hasn't decided whether it'll be a new bridge or a tunnel yet, and decisions on how to fund it will come later.  He says tolls are the only way to pull forward the development of new roads, faster.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.