Is Innovation a Luxury or a Necessity to Keep Developments Moving?

On this episode of The Building Pulse Podcast, host Tim Haycock  sits down with seasoned developer John Kenel to explore one of the biggest questions in the housing market today: Is innovation still possible—or even necessary—to keep developments moving in New Zealand?

With over 1,000 homes built and 20+ years navigating the trenches of property development, John shares what’s changed, what’s broken, and why navigating red tape has become a developer’s biggest risk.

In Part 1, they cover:

• How New Zealand’s consenting process has evolved—and not always for the better

• The disconnect between local councils and central government

• The cultural shift in how Kiwis see landlords and developers

• Why innovation might not be optional anymore

Whether you’re in development, investing, or just trying to make sense of the housing crisis—this episode brings the perspective of someone who’s seen the full cycle, and still believes New Zealand can build its way forward.

👉 Stay tuned for Part 2—where John dives deeper into solutions, strategies, and what it’ll take to fix the system.