6 July 2026
Ben Gracewood
Email
: [FYI request #34777 email] Dear Ben
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION UNDER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL INFORMATION AND MEETINGS
ACT 1987 (LGOIMA) – APPROVED DEVELOPMENTS AND NEW CONNECTIONS IN TE ATATU PENINSULA
(CLARIFICATION)
Your request
On 22 June 2026, we received a clarification on your request for information. In particular, your request
was as follows:
Thank you for your response.
In your response you said "Three applications were identified that appear not to align with the
current approach for managing development within this limited capacity area. These applications
have been highlighted in yellow and red within the attached spreadsheet (attachment 1)."
1. There were no items highlighted in red.
2. If those are indeed the only applications that do not align with the current approach, can you
please explain how the developments adding more than 5 DUEs "align with the current approach"?
Specifically:
77099 Matipo Rd 6 DUEs
76235 Dawnhaven Dr. 13 DUEs (was 15)
74765 Titoki St 10 DUEs
73938 Matipo Rd 8 DUEs
...these all appear to be squarely in the restricted capacity area?
Yours sincerely,
Ben Gracewood
Our response
The response letter stating “and red” was a typo. We apologise for the confusion and confirm that the
spreadsheet should have identified only three applications in yellow, with no applications highlighted in
red.
We would like to clarify the approach that applies within this limited-capacity area, as outlined in our
original response. Under the current approach, Watercare may approve a net increase of up to five
Dwelling Unit Equivalents (DUEs) per lot. This assessment is undertaken on a per-lot basis rather than
across a wider development site.
By way of example, where a developer owns three adjoining lots that currently contain one dwelling on
each (three existing DUEs in total), Watercare may approve redevelopment resulting in up to six dwellings
on each lot. This would equate to a net increase of five DUEs per lot, resulting in a total of 18 dwellings
across the three lots (comprising the three existing DUEs plus a net increase of 15 DUEs).
On that basis, we have completed an assessment of the developments you have requested more
information on.
77099 Matipo Rd 6 DUEs
This was a 6 DUE development that would replace 1 existing DUE. The net change is 5 DUEs, which is
allowed in this area.
76235 Dawnhaven Dr 13 DUEs (was 15)
This applicant received confirmation for 13 DUEs (two lots + 11 dwellings) in November 2024 prior to the
capacity maps being released. Subsequently, the applicant sought a further 2 dwellings (15 DUEs) which
Watercare declined. The applicant reverted to the previous approval of 13 DUEs total. The net change of
5.5 was upheld based on the previous approval occurring prior to the release of the capacity maps.
The attachment you have been provided was prepared manually by our Engineer, which may have caused
the confusion in understanding the complexity of this development. We confirm that this was a 13 DUE
development that would replace 2 existing dwellings.
74765 Titoki St 10 DUEs
This was for 10 additional dwellings across three separate sites, representing a net change of <4 DUEs for
each lot.
73938 Matipo Rd 8 DUEs
The applicant applied for an 8-lot subdivision. The approval was for a net change of 5 DUE (plus 1 existing).
Further options
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information
about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802
602.
Yours sincerely
Shane Lawton
Head of Developer Services
