Environment Court to hear Arvida’s appeal over private plan change

The Environment Court has set a date to hear Arvida’s appeal over Auckland Council’s decision to reject a private plan change request for land in Warkworth, after discussions between the parties were unable to resolve the appeal.

Arvida, one of the country’s largest retirement and aged care providers, is seeking to develop a 198-unit village and aged care facility on 22 hectares of land in Warkworth to address the growing and future demand for retirement housing in the area.

In March 2024, Arvida lodged a request with Auckland Council to enable its private plan change application to proceed to a public hearing, to start the rezoning process for a wider area of 140 hectares on the eastern side of Warkworth – allowing a more coordinated, master-planned approach to the land near its proposed site.

However, in February, Auckland Council’s Governing Body rejected the plan change request – despite its own officers recommending otherwise – leaving Arvida with no option but to file an appeal with the Environment Court in March.

Arvida Chief Executive Jeremy Nicoll says the parties will now proceed to a hearing, set down for mid-August, as discussions were unable to resolve the appeal.

“While the process has been frustrating, it must be stepped through,” says Nicoll.

At the hearing, Arvida will ask the Environment Court to determine whether Council's decision to reject Arvida's application was correct.

“Should the Court find the decision was not correct, our plan change would proceed to be notified and go through the public submission, evidence and hearing process.” 

Nicoll says Arvida stands by its view that Auckland Councillors’ decision to block the plan change request, and thereby prevent a fair public hearing, was flawed.

“The plan change area adjoins the existing Warkworth urban area, is well connected to Warkworth’s many amenities and will integrate with existing and planned infrastructure.

ABOUT ARVIDA

Arvida is one of NZ's largest operators of retirement villages and aged care facilities, with 34 communities across 12 regions, from high-level care to independent living. It has approximately 6,750 residents, and more than 2,900 team members. In November 2024, Arvida was acquired by Stonepeak, a global investment firm specialising in infrastructure and real assets.

THE NUMBERS | ARVIDA'S WARKWORTH PROPOSAL

140 hectares total area of rezoning sought

55 hectares total area of land owned by Arvida

22 hectares total area of land needed for Arvida’s Warkworth community

33 hectares total area of land to be sold

~300 community residents (once completed)

198 retirement village units (fully completed)

36 care centre facility units

HISTORY OF ARVIDA'S WARKWORTH PROPOSAL

2023

Arvida purchases 55ha site in Warkworth for future development

2024

March: Arvida lodges request with Auckland Council to start rezoning process

Arvida engages with Warkworth locals, iwi, and key agencies like Watercare and Auckland Transport

2025

February: Auckland Councillors decide to reject plan change request

March: Arvida files notice of appeal with Environment Court

April-May: Arvida and Auckland Council officials meet to resolve appeal

INDICATIVE FUTURE TIMELINE

2025 – Arvida sells land not needed for retirement community

2027 – First 25 units completed, approx. 38 residents

2028–34 – Approx. 25 more units completed (~38 residents) per annum

2035 – Completion of care facility (latest, depending on demand)

2036 – Completion of the full Arvida Warkworth community