Simplicity has dramatically expanded its Queenstown build-to-rent development, increasing the project to 1,078 homes after acquiring an additional three hectares of land near Remarkables Park. The enlarged development now spans approximately 10 hectares, making it one of the largest rental housing projects currently proposed in New Zealand.
The expansion comes as Queenstown continues to face mounting pressure from a persistent housing shortage that has affected workers, families and local businesses alike. While the district’s tourism industry remains a major economic driver, the availability of long-term housing has struggled to keep pace with population growth and workforce demand. For many essential workers, finding stable accommodation close to their jobs has become increasingly difficult.
Simplicity Living, the housing arm of KiwiSaver provider Simplicity, originally planned a development of around 600 homes. However, strong demand for long-term rental accommodation encouraged the company to increase the project’s scale significantly. With the latest land purchase, the development is now expected to deliver 1,078 homes, nearly doubling its original vision.
The project has been referred to New Zealand’s fast-track consenting process, which is designed to accelerate major developments that can contribute to economic growth and infrastructure delivery. Simplicity hopes to begin construction in January, subject to approvals.
The company is also working alongside Queenstown Lakes District Council and NZ Transport Agency on the infrastructure needed to support the development. Roads, transport links and utility services will be critical as the project moves from planning to construction.
Unlike many developments in Queenstown that cater to investors or holiday-home buyers, Simplicity says the project is intended to provide housing for people who live and work in the region. Managing director Sam Stubbs has emphasized that the homes are being built for locals rather than short-term accommodation markets.
The focus on long-term rental housing reflects broader concerns about accommodation availability in the district. Rising housing costs and limited rental stock have placed increasing pressure on residents, particularly those working in tourism and hospitality. The challenge mirrors wider concerns about housing affordability for Queenstown workers, which continues to be a major issue for employers and community leaders.
Simplicity Living managing director Shane Brealey said the region is “crying out” for additional homes for local residents and tourism workers. He believes the expanded development can help address a housing shortage that has constrained workforce growth and community development.
The project also highlights the growing role of build-to-rent housing in New Zealand. Unlike traditional residential developments, build-to-rent communities remain under single ownership and are professionally managed as long-term rental properties. The approach has become increasingly popular internationally among pension funds and institutional investors seeking stable returns from residential property.
According to New Zealand’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, build-to-rent developments can play an important role in increasing the supply of secure, professionally managed rental housing while providing greater stability for tenants.
Simplicity’s confidence in the model has been strengthened by its recent success in Auckland. The company recently completed what it describes as New Zealand’s largest build-to-rent complex in Mt Wellington and says the development is on track to be fully leased within weeks. Simplicity attributes strong demand to the quality of the housing and rental agreements that can extend up to 10 years, offering tenants greater certainty than traditional rental arrangements.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor John Glover has welcomed the proposal, saying it has the potential to support the wellbeing of the district’s resident community. At the same time, he noted that the fast-track panel will independently assess how the development aligns with existing planning frameworks and long-term growth objectives.
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The project also reflects a broader investment strategy being pursued by Simplicity. Stubbs argues that KiwiSaver funds can be invested in long-term housing projects that deliver stable returns while helping address critical housing shortages. Similar investment models have been adopted by pension and superannuation funds around the world, where large-scale rental housing is often viewed as a reliable long-term asset.
If approved, the 1,078-home Queenstown development could become a landmark example of how institutional investment can help expand housing supply in high-demand regions. For a district that has spent years searching for solutions to its accommodation challenges, the project could represent one of the most significant additions to the local rental market in recent memory.
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