1 Mar 2024

Developer says going up not out key to Auckland's housing affordability

From Nine To Noon, 9:05 am on 1 March 2024
The Manaaki apartment complex in Auckland's Onehunga.

Photo: Supplied/Ockham

A leading Auckland apartment developer says big money is fuelling the city's sprawl and curbing community creation. Ockham co-founder Mark Todd has been part of the apartment scene in Tāmaki Makaurau since 2009. 

His company has completed more than 1100 apartments at various sites in Auckland including including the blocks, Tuatahi in Mt Albert and Aroha in Avondale.

The latest is the Greenhouse building in the heart of Ponsonby - where 21 of the 93 apartments are still available. 

At the recent opening of the high-end property Mr Todd took a swipe at developers of sites in Drury - 38 kilometres south of Central Auckland. 

He says urban sprawl contributes to Auckland being a city many can't afford to live in, particularly service workers who are the necessary backbone of the metropolis.