Roaming Dog Incidents and Public Opposition to Housing Density w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 5 September, 2025

High numbers of roaming dogs in Auckland’s communities have continued to be a persistent problem. New data revealed shows nearly 17.000 reports of unruly behaviour from dogs with nearly 1300 attacks on people and 1200 attacks on other animals. 

Dog shelters are also increasingly under strain with nearly 10,000 dogs being impounded in the last year. I talked to Councilor Shane Henderson today about what the drivers behind these increased incidents and how Auckland Council is trying to respond. 

In other news, inner city suburbs have been hosting public forums on Plan Change 78, a change to Auckland’s zoning and intensification framework that would allow for the development of high density housing in the central isthmus. 

There has been vehement public opposition in inner city suburbs with residents shouting and heckling at MPs, councillors and even members of the public that do support high density housing.Councilor Chrstine Fletcher has also made claims that this housing intensification plan will cost Aucklanders nearly $20 billion in associated infrastructure costs. Mayor Wayne Brown has decried these claims, calling them “complete rubbish” 

Producer Sanat wanted to talk to Councilor Henderson about why there is so much public opposition to this plan and whether housing intensification will change the city for the better or the worse.