Auckland's approach to housing's led to a surge in new homes - helping rent prices stay lower

The city's latest Economic Quarterly report shows the effect of the Auckland Unitary Plan - a planning rulebook introduced in 2016, to allow rezoning of residential land for higher density housing

It found the plan directly resulted in 22-thousand new homes being consented from its introduction through to 2021.

Auckland Council's Chief Economist Gary Blick says the increase in houses has positively impacted rents.

He says there's also good research that shows rents have been lower than they would've otherwise been.

Blick says for a family, three-bedroom home rent prices are between a quarter and a third lower.