Hawke’s Bay Regional Council adopts Future Development Strategy

Published: 27 August 2025

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has today formally adopted the region’s Future Development Strategy (FDS).

 The strategy – a requirement under the Government’s National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD) – now heads to Napier City Council for final adoption as a single, consolidated document.

 The FDS outlines how councils will work together to deliver well-functioning urban environments and provide enough development capacity to meet future housing and business land development needs over the next thirty years. It also aligns with the Resource Management Act and councils’ long-term infrastructure and funding plans.

 Over the past two months, the partner councils have agreed on the majority of the strategy – including the shared vision, development objectives, and a focus on encouraging intensification and smarter urban form.

 The only points of difference in views are the proposed greenfield areas Riverbend Road (NC4b), Middle Road (HN3a and HN3b), and Wall Road (H5).

To ensure a singular strategy that meets national requirements, the FDS has been updated to reflect the councils’ respective positions on these areas.

 Regional Councillors also voted to reserve its position in relation to any future consenting or planning processes regarding the residential greenfield sites excluded by HBRC.

 The Council positions are summarised below:

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