Survey reveals clarity could unlock more rental housing
A recent Auckland Property Investors Association (APIA) survey found that 82% of landlords would support housing reforms—even ones they initially disagree with—if the government shared clearer data and reasoning.
Sarina Gibbon (pictured), APIA’s general manager, said the lack of transparency—not what’s being proposed—is what’s sapping investor confidence.
“The RMA overhaul is a major reset that was long overdue,” Gibbon said. “You can’t rip out and rebuild the rules without creating some noise. But investors don’t fear noise, they fear silence. If you want capital to commit, you have to show your working. Publish the numbers, walk us through the logic, and tell us how you’ll measure success. Anything less is asking people to fly blind with millions of dollars on the line.”
Clarity over partisanship to attract capital
The APIA survey highlights that when policy lacks clarity, investors delay maintenance, expansion, and refrain from adding rental properties.
“Stability of the rules matters more than who’s writing them,” Gibbon said. “If you want more houses, stop turning housing policy into a political season ticket and start treating it like national infrastructure. Make it boring, make it predictable, and you’ll get results.”
Simple steps for lasting reform
APIA recommends these practical steps for meaningful reform:
- Share data before passing legislation
- Make the rationale for reforms publicly available
- Seek stakeholder feedback before drafting final policy
“Landlords aren’t asking for special treatment,” Gibbons said. “They just want the same consideration any professional expects before signing a major contract: know what you’re agreeing to, why it’s needed, and how it will be measured.”
APIA’s message is clear: lasting housing reform must be built on transparency.
Why clarity matters now: RMA reform underway
These findings are especially timely as the government proceeds with overhaul of the Resource Management Act (RMA). According to APIA, unstable policy—especially if steeped in partisan politics—risks undermining landlord participation in the housing market, making clarity crucial to unlocking much-needed capital and encouraging development.
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