Auckland Council has voted in favour of a housing intensification replacement plan that will see 10-15-storey high rises built around public transport hubs.
The council's plans to allocate up to two million new homes across the city in the coming decades have become clearer this afternoon.
Councillors voted for the plan by 18 to five, and were limited between voting for the original Plan Change 78, which focused on three-storey residential buildings across Auckland, and the high-rise alternative called Plan Change 120.
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has directed Auckland Council to allocate up to two million homes in the coming decades and downzone parts of the city at risk of natural hazards.
Critics of the housing intensification plans have said it does not account for special character areas and has been rushed through without enough public consultation.
A late amendment from councillor Christine Fletcher to delay a decision for another three months was voted down today.
Mayor Wayne Brown warned his councillors at today's meeting that if they did not choose between three-storey developments or high-rises to bolster housing in the city, the Government would.
Howick ward councillor Maurice Williamson said he was not happy with either outcome.
"It's almost a choice between the firing squad and lethal injection," he said.
Councillor Christine Fletcher said "errors" in the chosen plan, including the areas allocated for high-rise development, needed to be fixed.
Her amendment to allow for an extra three months for public consultation before councillors made their decision was voted down, 15 votes to eight.
"A fair and reasonable person might say, 'let's find an avenue where we can actually have a bit more time to correct the errors to get something a little more sound before we actually go to submissions'.
"It's a big deal for the public to actually have to submit, and it seems unfair."
Some councillors, including Ken Turner, argued the city did not need to zone for as much housing as the Government required.
"We have to sign up to a capacity which we will never use in our lifetimes, or maybe even the lifetimes of others. Is that not the definition of irrational? Not logical or reasonable?"
Councillors supporting the new plan argued it was more workable than the original option, which imposed medium-density residential standards on all Auckland urban areas.
Councillor Julie Fairey said the old plan did not allow flexibility in areas at risk of flooding.
About 20 people filled the public gallery to watch the meeting.
Many told RNZ they were concerned the character of their neighbourhoods would be affected.
Sati Sembhi from Saint Mary's Bay was worried about developments of up to 15 storeys there.
She wanted the council to take more time to ensure the suburb - one of the city's oldest - would maintain its heritage.
"Here we are about to make this huge change to Auckland, and we're doing it as if it is an emergency, when really it's something we ought to be taking our time over to get right."
Brian Putt, another Saint Mary's Bay resident, had similar worries.
"We need to concentrate on important transport corridors, but leave some of the historic suburbs alone so that history can remain intact."
Council policy and planning director Megan Tyler said the council had until October 10 to advise Housing Minister Chris Bishop of its preferred plan.
She said the newly approved plan would then go out for public consultation, and there would be a hearing in front of an independent review panel.
Bishop has welcomed Auckland Council's decision today.
The minister said Auckland now had the opportunity to decide how and where the city grew, with greater flexibility compared to the previous plan.
Bishop said the council's next step was to seek direction on timing and processes for the replacement plan change.
SHARE ME