Require builders of new houses to provide a minimum of 2 car parks

What This Petition Is About

This petition asks the New Zealand Parliament to pass a law requiring builders of new homes to include space for at least two cars on the property itself. Currently, many new houses are built on smaller plots where there is no dedicated driveway or garage. Instead, residents must park their vehicles on the public street. The petitioners also want car parking availability to be clearly stated in property advertisements.

Current Situation in New Zealand

Urban housing in New Zealand has shifted towards higher density and smaller land sizes, particularly in cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), there is a significant housing shortage, which has driven developers to maximize the number of homes per hectare. This often results in "car-light" or "car-free" designs where on-site parking is omitted to save space for more dwellings. Consequently, many new residents rely on street parking, which can lead to congestion and disputes between neighbors.

Arguments in Favour

• Reduced Street Congestion: If cars are parked on private land, fewer vehicles occupy public roads, potentially easing traffic flow in residential areas.
• Safety and Security: Parking on private property may reduce the risk of vehicle damage, theft, or hit-and-run incidents compared to street parking.
• Consumer Clarity: Requiring parking details in listings helps buyers and renters make informed decisions about their daily commute and storage needs.

Arguments Against

• Housing Affordability: Mandating two car parks requires larger land areas or specific design layouts. This increases construction costs, which are typically passed on to buyers, making new homes more expensive and less accessible.
• Urban Density Goals: Many local councils and the central government encourage higher-density housing to address the housing crisis. Requiring large driveways reduces the number of homes that can be built on a given plot, potentially worsening the housing shortage.
• Changing Transport Trends: There is a growing national push to reduce car dependency in favor of public transport, cycling, and walking. Mandating car spaces may contradict long-term sustainability and urban planning goals.
• One-Size-Fits-All Approach: Not all households own two cars. Single-person households or those with strong public transport access may not need two spaces, making the mandate inefficient.

Relevant Context

Local councils currently have the power to set parking requirements through their District Plans. Some councils already mandate specific parking ratios, while others are moving towards minimum or zero parking requirements to encourage sustainable transport. A national law would override these local decisions, creating a uniform standard across the country. This issue affects homebuyers, renters, developers, and local government planners who are balancing housing supply with urban liveability.

⚡ Cached from a previous visit