Dispelling myths: Reviewing the evidence on zoning reforms in Auckland

Abstract

In 2016, the city of Auckland adopted zoning reforms that enabled more housing on approximately three-quarters of its urban land. Three subsequent studies have found that these reforms increased housing supply and reduced rents. Two economists have, however, criticised these studies on blogs and social media, describing their findings as a “myth”. Despite their informal nature, these critiques have been cited in formal planning and policy processes. Here, we review these critiques and find them to have little to no merit. Specifically, the critiques misunderstand the papers’ methods and rely on inappropriate analyses. In our view, there is remarkably robust evidence that zoning reforms increased housing supply and reduced rents in Auckland.