2015 - present
Milldale, Auckland
Woods is leading the planning, design, and delivery of key infrastructure and consenting for Milldale — a 300-hectare master-planned development that will bring 4,500 new homes to Auckland’s northern growth corridor.
Woods has been involved with Milldale since 2014, helping shape the development from early precinct planning and Unitary Plan submissions through to infrastructure rollout and subdivision delivery. We’ve provided fully integrated services across:
Planning and Urban Design – including the Wainui Precinct overlay and design of neighbourhood and commercial centres.
Civil Engineering and Three Waters – delivering bulk earthworks, streamworks, roads, bridges, stormwater systems, and utilities at pace to support up to 400 lots per year.
Surveying and Geospatial – topographical and boundary surveys, set-out, as-builts, aerial imagery, and real-time GIS data to streamline site delivery.
Environmental Management – including a catchment-wide Stormwater Management Plan and Network Discharge Consent, using water-sensitive design and low-impact treatment trains.
Woods led the consenting for multiple large-scale earthworks and streamworks packages at Milldale – up to 75 hectares in a single season – alongside a comprehensive suite of land use and subdivision approvals. These included stream reclamation with a robust mitigation and offset package involving enhancement of primary tributaries and restoration efforts in surrounding regional parks.
To support the scale of development at Milldale, Woods delivered a comprehensive infrastructure programme aligned with housing rollout. Key elements included:
1D–2D Catchment Flood Modelling: Calibrated to real flow data from the Orewa River, this model tested scenarios with and without climate change to guide resilient design of stream channels, culverts, and green outfalls with fish passage and ecological integrity.
Stormwater Management: We prepared the Network Discharge Consent and catchment-wide Stormwater Management Plan, now adopted across the future urban zone. Solutions focused on water-sensitive urban design and long-term resilience.
Environmental Integration: Hydraulic structures were designed to accommodate both conveyance and ecological function, with reshaped banks, natural low-flow channels, and minimal environmental disruption.
GIS and Aerial Mapping: Our geospatial platform enabled rapid progress tracking and coordinated delivery across dozens of stages, reducing administrative burden and on-site delays.
Woods led a recent Fast-track Application under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act for Milldale stages 10–13 and stage 4C. In collaboration with Barker & Associates, the application secured approval for:
Capacity to deliver approximately 1,155 detached and terraced dwellings
A new neighbourhood centre and supporting public open spaces
Critical three waters and utility infrastructure
A temporary wastewater treatment plant to overcome servicing constraints
Construction of 168 terraced dwellings under immediate approval
This complex consenting exercise demonstrates Woods’ leadership in navigating fast-track legislation, enabling major housing delivery under tight timelines and infrastructure uncertainty.
The scale, pace, and ambition of Milldale demanded agile, multidisciplinary expertise. Woods was tasked with delivering large-scale infrastructure and consenting in sync with a development programme targeting more than 400 new lots annually. Each subdivision stage required careful alignment of civil design, environmental approvals, and infrastructure roll-out.
Milldale’s underlying terrain presented challenges, including multiple stream crossings, flood-prone areas, and the need for extensive ecological integration. Balancing housing yield, resilience, and environmental quality was central to project success. Collaboration with Auckland Council, Healthy Waters, and Watercare was critical – ensuring that consent processes were efficient without compromising on quality or compliance.
Milldale now stands as one of Auckland’s most significant residential developments. Over 2,000 lots have been enabled to date, with more than 1,000 homes completed and a further 2,000 lots progressing through delivery. The development represents a $1.4 billion investment in housing and community infrastructure, setting a benchmark for integrated greenfield growth.
Woods has successfully delivered every model, assessment, and consent package on time and within budget – enabling a staged rollout that continues to deliver high-quality homes and public amenities to one of Auckland’s fastest-growing regions.
