'Plan action needed now'

The Government wants to hold off ratification until 2016/2017 to allow for more consultation on the rules and regulations the plan will introduce, allowing for more intensification of the city.

But EMA chief executive Kim Campbell said that would mean uncertainty for Aucklanders and would put extra costs on to homeowners.

"The costs will result from Auckland Council having to manage seven different consent processes under the city’s seven former legacy councils - while introducing the new future looking, single unified process. This is simply too much to ask. It will add a significant cost to the building of new homes just when we need them to be cheaper.”

Auckland mayor Len Brown is having discussions with Housing Minister Nick Smith on how central and local governments can work together to make housing more affordable.