Stuart Donovan joins major Marsden-funded study on housing upzoning

Mar 14, 2026

Researchers at the University of Auckland have received a Marsden Fund grant to investigate the social and economic effects of large-scale zoning reforms in Aotearoa New Zealand. The project asks — who benefits when cities allow more housing? 

The team, led by Associate Professor Ryan Greenaway-McGrevy and Peter C. B. Phillips, will study Auckland Council’s Unitary Plan to examine the effects of upzoning (i.e. adopting planning rules that allow for more housing) on individuals. Introduced in 2016, the plan upzoned about three-quarters of Auckland’s residential land.

Research has found the Unitary Plan sparked a surge in housing construction while easing pressure on rents. But a key question remains: who ultimately gains from these changes?

Motu Research Fellow Stuart Donovan will contribute to the analytical core of the project, collating data, estimating models, and translating the research findings into practical policy advice for decision-makers.

The research team will examine if upzoning helps people access high-opportunity areas or, alternatively, deepens existing inequalities.
 

The question has a direct implication for policy across local and central government. “Understanding these effects matters” says Stuart, “because where people live influences education, employment and life chances. Robust evidence can help governments adopt housing policies that expand opportunity”.
 

Marsden Grants are among the most prestigious and competitive research awards in Aotearoa, funding a  small number of projects judged to have the greatest potential to advance knowledge.
 

For Motu Research, contributing to this work aligns closely with our mission: produce rigorous evidence and turn it into insights that help policymakers make better decisions.

As Aotearoa continues to reform its housing system, this project will provide timely evidence on how upzoning shapes cities and affects people on the ground — and how policy can ensure the benefits are widely shared.