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New Zealand Opens Consultation on Scrapping Auckland CBD Height Limits

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Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration of central Auckland's skyline and Sky Tower beside Waitematā Harbour, with Auckland Harbour Bridge and urban neighbourhoods extending toward the horizon, rendered in warm ochre and slate-blue pastel strokes.

New Zealand's government and Auckland Council opened a 20-working-day consultation on removing height limits across most of Auckland's CBD, as well as maximum tower dimensions, setbacks and floor-area ratios. Officials said viewshafts plus sunlight, wind and substantive heritage protections would remain. Government modelling estimates the changes could make 2.75 million square metres of floor space commercially feasible, supporting about 17,000 homes, 37,200 jobs and NZ$1.87 billion in additional annual GDP. The inquiry itself changes no planning rules; ministers will decide after considering submissions, findings and the council's views.

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