Residents complain too many townhouse crowding suburbs

Townhouses are replacing standalone homes across Auckland, leaving suburban residents without parking or backyard space.

West Auckland resident and townhouse renter Mike Bryant is increasingly annoyed at the problems being thrown up by the growing number of townhouses.

He says the lack of parking is one such issue.

“Some days trying to get a car park for my house feels like trying to get a car park at the supermarket during a Saturday morning, feels impossible. I know it’s going to get worse, unfortunately.”

Bryant believes the large number of new townhouses is also creating more overcrowded roads.

He is not alone in his belief that townhouses are causing more trouble than they’re worth.

Residents of Te Atatu Peninsula have been voicing their frustrations on their community Facebook page, calling on the local council and MPs to get a handle on the issues, including the lack of parking.

One post read: “These streets are essentially becoming a one-lane street because there are so many townhouses being built that all the cars are having to be parked on the street.”

Bryant is also disappointed that more townhouses mean fewer larger family-sized homes.

“It just feels super disappointing, these townhouses being built everywhere are replacing actual family houses. Family houses that actually had a backyard to play on and a garage to park your car in.”

According to Stats New Zealand, Auckland Council approved building consents for 16 thousand multi-unit homes compared to only 5 thousand stand-alone houses in 2022, which is an 11 per cent increase from 2021.