Show Notes
This is the fourth of a series of episodes being led by the oldest friend of the podcast, Paul Smith.
Paul put it to Sam Stafford that debates about the planning system in England tend, for the most part, to focus solely on the planning system in England. We very seldom look to other countries for inspiration and ideas.
Paul wanted to remedy that and so in this series he is chatting with planning professionals and academics from a number of countries to find out what works well there, what works less well, and what can we learn.
In this episode Paul chats to Stuart Donovan about planning in New Zealand. Stuart is an economist and Senior Fellow with Motu Research, an independent Wellington-based economics and public policy institute.
During a conversation recorded online in January 2026 Paul and Stewart talk about why Auckland became one of the least affordable housing markets in the world and how the opportunities for upzoning presented by an earthquake in Christchurch and local government reorganisation in Auckland became so successful that they were ultimately replicated nationally.
Some accompanying reading.
Up-zoning New Zealand: the localisation of a globally mobile policy idea
Dispelling Myths – reviewing the evidence of zoning reforms in Auckland
Going it alone: the impact of upzoning on housing construction in Lower Hutt
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1051137724000512
New Zealand shows how planning reform will end Britain’s housing crisis
Buckaroo! The burdens that have become a big problem for house building
Some accompanying viewing.
Planning on the Frontline: Navigating Abuse, Misinformation and Public Pressure
Some accompanying listening.
Flight of the Conchords - Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros
Any other business.
If you enjoy the episode do please consider bolstering Sam's fragile self-esteem by leaving the podcast a nice rating and a nice review wherever you listened to it. Obviously though if you have not enjoyed it then please do not leave a review, but do please feel free to let Sam know why (via [email protected] or the 50 Shades WhatsApp Community). Feedback on 50 Shades episodes is always welcome.
If you have enjoyed to the extent that you feel compelled to share the podcast on one your social platforms then, if you tag Sam, you will be entitled to an exclusive and much-sought after 50 Shades of Planning mug.
If you are a new listener do please check out the back catalogue where you will find episodes on myriad planning topics, as well as the other episodes in the All Around the World series, and remember that by subscribing new episodes will magically appear in your phone as soon as Sam has published them.
50 Shades of Planning is the podcast by planners and for planners and so if you would like to use it as a platform for sharing anything you think that the sector needs to be talking about then you are also very welcome to get in touch with Sam.
Sam is grateful to Richborough, Town Legal and Tyler Grange for supporting the podcast; to Vistry for sponsoring the 50 Shades mugs; and to Rachael Cooper and Adrian Meehan for recording and editing this episode.
More from 50 Shades of Planning
One of the most common topics of conversation that Sam Stafford heard at UKREiiF this year was the need for statutory chief planners. There are perhaps three factors behind that interest in building or strengthening leadership capacity within LPAs. First, the impending programme of devolution and local government reform will create larger teams covering larger geographies that will need to co-operate with newly emerging strategic authorities. Second; more authorities being in no overall control need guiding through the decision-making implications of that. And thirdly, the emerging need to manage the possibly contentious gateway test element of the soon statutory scheme of delegation. A role of statutory status, I also heard it suggested in the context of wider LPA capacity and skills, might be something to encourage a junior officer to stay in local government and work towards were they ever tempted to leave for the bright lights and coffee machines of the private sector.
When 50 Shades of Planning first covered nutrient neutrality in February 2021, Sam Stafford described the process of eutrophication as a bit like the podcast itself: a little niche, but very important.
The previous Government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 introduced the legislative framework for a new system of local plan-making and in March 2026 the current Government introduced the regulations concerning this new regime.
Whilst in London recently Sam Stafford took the opportunity to catch up with old friends of the podcast Simon Ricketts, Andrew Taylor and Mike Kiely.
As regular listeners know there is often talk on the 50 Shades of Planning podcast about the role of local councillors in the planning system, in the context of, for example, overturning officer recommendations or a decision to withdraw a local plan.