There is widespread agreement among researchers and policy advisers that restrictive zoning is a major reason housing is so expensive.  However, the general public is not convinced of this and policy has barely changed.  A leading exception is New Zealand where zoning restrictions have been greatly relaxed.  In Auckland, one of the first movers, construction has doubled and housing costs have fallen substantially, relative to other cities.

How did New Zealand achieve zoning reform? What have been its effects? To what extent does the New Zealand experience provide a model for Australia?