Precincts, People, and Possibility: Reflections on the City Centre Advisory Panel
My term on Auckland Council’s City Centre Advisory Panel (CCAP) has recently come to a close— a moment to reflect on the privilege of serving our city alongside a powerhouse group of passionate, future-focused change makers.
The CCAP exists to provide strategic advice on central city issues and support the delivery of key outcomes from the City Centre Masterplan, the Auckland Plan, and the City Centre Targeted Rate. Our guidance informs the Governing Body, Waitematā Local Board, and council-controlled organisations, helping shape the future of Tāmaki Makaurau’s urban heart.
What made this experience so meaningful was the depth of strategic dialogue we shared. The panel was often a space where housing, infrastructure, culture, and community weren’t treated as isolated challenges—but as interdependent levers for shaping a resilient, inclusive, and vibrant city centre.
What has really been galvanised for me through the experience has been the affirmation that with the right strategic lens, housing and precinct delivery can be the twin pillars of a more vibrant, equitable, and future-ready central city.
Housing as the Strategic Anchor of Vibrancy
One of the most urgent and exciting opportunities we explored was the growth of the residential population in the city centre. A thriving downtown isn’t just about commercial vibrancy—it’s about people. Students, professionals, families, creatives, entrepreneurs, temporary workers, international visitors, new migrants finding their first foothold in Aotearoa, and those navigating housing insecurity all shape and share in the life of the city.
Growing the residential population is not a side objective—it’s central to long-term vitality. Residents bring life to streets, stability to local economies, and stewardship to public spaces. Global best practice shows that the most effective levers treat housing as part of a strategic urban system, including through:
- Affordable and inclusive housing mechanisms, such as public land partnerships to deliver mixed-tenure housing with iwi, community housing providers, and institutional investors
- Zoning for density and diversity, enabling mixed-use, high-density housing in strategic precincts
- Precinct-based planning and delivery, aligning housing with transport, public space, and social infrastructure, brought to life by place activation strategies
- Social infrastructure clustering, with schools, health services, and libraries within walking distance of homes and commercial opportunity
- Financial and regulatory incentives to unlock development
- Digital and data-driven tools to engage residents and track quality-of-life outcomes
Precinct Delivery as the Engine of Opportunity
Precincts, when planned and delivered as integrated systems, become engines of urban vitality. Unlocking economic, cultural, and social opportunity through precinct delivery means treating each precinct not just as a development site, but as a strategic platform for transformation.
Economically, precincts attract investment, support local enterprise, and create jobs by clustering commercial, retail, and hospitality offerings in walkable, high-amenity environments. Culturally, they provide a canvas for iwi-led design, public art, and storytelling that reflects the identity of Tāmaki Makaurau and fosters a sense of belonging. Socially, they enable inclusive housing, accessible public realm, and community infrastructure that supports diverse populations.
With coordinated governance, intentional design, and cross-sector partnership, precinct delivery becomes a lever not just for growth—but for legacy.
