Build a submission that actually moves zoning.
Proposed Plan Change 120 amends the Auckland Unitary Plan to strengthen natural hazard rules and enable the housing intensification central government requires, against a minimum theoretical capacity of at least 1.4 million homes. Second-round submissions ran from 27 August to 5pm, 24 September 2026, and are now closed. This guide explains what made submissions effective. Last reviewed 19 October 2026.
During the submission period, this workshop asked structured questions and drafted text that people pasted into Auckland Council's official form. Submissions are now closed; the guide stays up as a record of what made submissions effective. Nothing was stored on a server.
What actually works in a PC120 submission?
The panel has thousands of first-round submissions. The second-round submissions that move zoning say: this parcel, this proposed height, this flood path, this amendment.
Specific address or map
Name the street and parcel. Screenshot the official map.
Named provision or zone
Cite the zone, height, or overlay that applies.
Evidence
What you have seen: flood dates, overland flow, bus crowding.
Decision sought
The exact amendment you want the Panel to recommend.
Weak arguments: property value, "character of the neighbourhood" without evidence, and "I don't like apartments" are not effects-based planning arguments under the RMA. This tool will warn you and force a rewrite.
Which Auckland ward are you in for PC120?
Frequently asked questions
What is Plan Change 120?
PC120 amends the Auckland Unitary Plan to strengthen natural hazard rules and enable housing intensification required by central government. It is now set against a reduced minimum theoretical capacity of about 1.4 million homes. Council's July 2026 revised package puts the figure at roughly 1.5 to 1.7 million.
When were PC120 second-round submissions open?
Submissions on the second notification opened on 27 August 2026 and closed at 5:00pm on 24 September 2026. Submissions were made through Council's official form. This guide helped people draft a submission to paste into that form; it is not itself an official channel, and nothing is stored on a server.
What makes a PC120 submission effective?
The panel has thousands of first-round submissions. The second-round submissions that move zoning are specific: name the street and parcel, cite the zone, height or overlay that applies, give evidence such as flood dates, overland flow or bus crowding, and state the exact amendment you want the Panel to recommend.
Which arguments are weak under the RMA?
Property value, the character of the neighbourhood without evidence, and simply not liking apartments are not effects-based planning arguments under the RMA. The guide warns you when a draft relies on them and asks for a rewrite. Effects-based evidence, such as hazards and specific local impacts, carries more weight with the Panel.
Is this guide run by Auckland Council?
No. The PC120 Submission Guide is a practical RMA submission workshop by City Builders Association. It is not affiliated with Auckland Council and is not a petition, a campaign or legal advice. Friends of Submitters is a separate, independent free service that this tool does not replace. It was last reviewed on 19 October 2026.