Luxon’s National set to walk back ‘Townhouse Nation’ accord

Willis to go back to Labour to amend bill in select committee to take account of critics’ complaints about design guidelines and a lack of council flexibility to reject new three-storey townhouses

TLDR: After weeks of intense pressure from National-aligned councillors and home owners opposed to new housing in their neighbourhoods, new National Leader Christopher Luxon has signalled a watering down of a bipartisan accord signed with Labour by his predecessor Judith Collins that was designed to free up housing supply.

Chris Luxon poses with his deputy, the more experienced Nicola Willis, after his first news conference as National leader. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKaka

Luxon said new deputy leader Nicola Willis would work with Labour to amend the accord in select committee to take account of complaints about design quality and giving flexibility to councils to reject new housing forms and supply.

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