The government wants to direct city councils to loosen up planning rules and scrap unnecessary restrictions for developing higher-density housing.
The announcement from the Urban Development Minister and Environment Minister Phil Twyford yesterday is aimed at encouraging cities to grow upwards.
Mr Twyford says overly restrictive planning is the major cause of the housing crisis, as it creates an artificial scarcity of land or floor space, which drives up prices.
Tauranga mayor Greg Brownless and Wellington mayor Justin Lester discuss the issue with Corin Dann.
