Land Information Minister Chris Penk has announced significant reductions in processing times for survey and title applications, enabling housing projects to advance more swiftly amid New Zealand’s ongoing housing crisis.
Processing Times Slashed by 20%
Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has cut average processing times for survey applications by 20% compared to 2023, with title applications now completed two days faster. Survey transactions now take eight days on average, down from 10.3 days last year, while title processing has improved from 10.4 days to 8.4 days.
“Delays in survey and title approvals can stall entire housing developments, driving up costs and prolonging construction timelines,” Minister Penk said. “In a country where it currently takes 569 days to build a home, every day saved in bureaucracy means getting families into affordable housing faster.”
Targeted Improvements Drive Efficiency
The progress follows a renewed focus on core services, including streamlined subdivision processes and optimized resource allocation. Frontline services have been bolstered to expedite critical transactions, contributing to the reduction in delays.
“While some applications still face bottlenecks, these gains reflect our commitment to unblocking the housing pipeline,” Minister Penk added. “Simplifying survey and title processing is part of the Government’s broader mission to overhaul red tape and incentivize construction.”
Addressing the Housing Crisis
With 30,033 title applications lodged between January and November 2024—down from 32,420 in 2023—the Minister emphasized that efficiency, not volume, remains the priority. “Faster processing ensures developers can meet project milestones without unnecessary hold-ups, which is vital to tackling the housing shortage.”
Acknowledging Ongoing Challenges
Despite improvements, Minister Penk acknowledged room for further progress. “We’re not done yet. LINZ will continue refining systems to eliminate delays while maintaining rigorous standards. Our goal is a seamless process that supports both developers and homeowners.”
The initiative aligns with cross-government efforts to enhance public services and reduce barriers to construction, ensuring New Zealanders benefit from a more responsive and cost-effective housing market.
For detailed processing time data, visit [LINZ’s official website].
