ACT on Housing

Make it easier to build homes and fund infrastructure fairly

ACT wants to make it easier for people to build on their own land. They say councils take too long to approve new homes and struggle to pay for the roads and pipes new homes need. They want to open up the building products market, reward councils that approve more homes, and replace current planning laws with rules based on property rights. Temporary workers would also help pay for infrastructure from their first day in New Zealand.

What they say they'll do

Helped open the building-products market (delivered in government)
Rewarded councils that consent new homes (delivered in government)
Advanced replacing the RMA with a property-rights-based planning system (delivered in government)
Give innovators a clear route through outdated regulation
Require temporary workers to contribute to infrastructure from their first day in New Zealand

Who this affects

Families renting or buying homes

ACT says delays in building approvals result in higher rents and bigger mortgages for families, and their policies aim to increase the number of homes available.

People wanting to build on their own land

ACT's position is that property owners should be free to build unless they cause material harm to others or the environment, with fewer regulatory barriers.

Temporary workers

ACT says temporary workers would be required to contribute to infrastructure costs from their first day in New Zealand.

Councils

ACT says councils currently carry the upfront cost of growth and need practical funding mechanisms, and that those who consent new homes should be rewarded.

In their own words

“ACT believes people should be free to build on their property unless they cause material harm to somebody else or the natural environment.”

“Families pay through higher rents, bigger mortgages and longer commutes.”

“people who add to the demand for infrastructure should make a fair contribution.”

Verify at ACT — official policy page

Summarised neutrally from ACT’s own official policy (as at 2026-09-10) and checked by an editor. Nothing is paraphrased without the source linked. Read the original ↗ Arapono is non-partisan. Compare all parties on Housing →

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