‘Supersized granny flats’ – What the new regulations mean for Waiheke Island
Background to the proposed changes – Why the Government is pushing for granny flats
The New Zealand Government is introducing changes to make it easier to build granny flats—small, self-contained homes also known as secondary dwellings. With rising property prices and ongoing housing shortages, granny flats offer a practical way to create affordable, flexible housing solutions.
To remove barriers and reduce consent costs and building delays, the Government has proposed changes to both the Building Act and Resource Management Act (RMA), with new regulations set to take effect in early 2026.
Current legal requirements for building a granny flat
Under the existing laws, homeowners must comply with two key consent processes before building a granny flat:
Building consent – Required for all new dwellings to ensure they meet the Building Code for safety and construction standards.
Resource consent – Often required under the Resource Management Act (RMA) if the property is subject to local zoning restrictions or environmental controls.
Homeowners must also pay infrastructure fees to councils for water, sewage, and transport connections, and follow local council planning rules that may affect the location and size of a granny flat.
The proposed changes – Simplifying the process
To remove unnecessary consent barriers, the Government has proposed new exemptions under the Building Act and RMA, set to take effect from early 2026. These changes include:
Building consent exemption – Granny flats up to 70 square metres can be built without requiring building consent, provided they are of a simple design and meet the Building Code.
Professional standards – Flats must be built by or under the supervision of licensed building professionals.
Council notification – Homeowners must notify their local council before and after construction.
Infrastructure charges – Councils will retain the right to charge for water, sewage, and roading connections.
The National Environmental Standard (NES) will override local council rules to allow granny flats in residential and rural zones without requiring resource consent. This change aims to reduce council fees and delays, and standardise regulations nationwide.
Impact on building granny flats on Waiheke Island
While these national changes will streamline the consent process, Waiheke Island has unique environmental and infrastructure considerations that may still influence the feasibility of granny flats. These include:
Zoning restrictions – Some properties on Waiheke are within coastal or bushland zones, meaning environmental protections may still apply.
Infrastructure fees – Auckland Council can still charge connection fees for water and sewage, even though consent requirements will be reduced.
Local planning rules – Waiheke has strict development rules to protect its natural environment—homeowners should check Auckland Council’s latest updates for specific details
What does this mean for Waiheke homeowners?
For homeowners on Waiheke, these changes could make it easier and more affordable to build granny flats. However, it’s important to:
Check local council regulations, especially for properties near protected bushland or coastal areas.
Consult with a licensed builder to ensure compliance with the Building Code.
Prepare for infrastructure costs, as connection fees may still apply despite the consent exemptions.
Super-sized granny flats coming to backyards
It’s about to get simpler to build secondary dwellings in New Zealand.
