Government Policy Statement (GPS)

The Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities Act 2019 says the GPS-HUD must include:

• The Government’s overall direction and priorities for housing and urban development, which must include a multi-decade outlook
• How the Government expects Kāinga Ora to manage its functions and operations to meet the Government’s direction and priorities (this is binding on Kāinga Ora)
• How the Government expects other agencies to support the direction and priorities
• The Government’s expectations in relation to Maori interests, partnering with Maori and protections for Maori interests.
• How the Government expects Kāinga Ora to recognise the need to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change

The GPS will be developed by working with partners and stakeholders to build an understanding of what New Zealand wants for the future of housing and urban development, and how the GPS can help deliver this.

Preparation of the GPS will be spilt into four phases;

1. In the first phase, we will have targeted engagement with a wide range of partners and stakeholders.
2. In the second phase, we will consolidate the views from stakeholders and prepare the draft GPS.
3. In the third phase, we will publicly consult on the draft GPS.
4. For the final phase, we will consolidate the views heard from the public and prepare a final GPS for recommendation to the Minister and Cabinet.

The challenges New Zealand is facing with housing and urban development are complex and systemic. To improve outcomes, we need the different players in the system to work towards an agreed and durable long-term direction.

For the GPS-HUD to have the impact required to shift the system, it is important to build consensus and get buy-in from industry, local government and others. Developing a shared vision for the future of the system will ensure the GPS-HUD is effective. The GPS-HUD provides binding direction to Kāinga Ora and guidance for other agencies involved in housing and urban development. This means that other players looking to partner with government can have more certainty about the overall vision and strategy.