This zone applies to centres located in different sub-regional catchments of Auckland. The centres are second only to the city centre in overall scale and intensity and act as hubs for high frequency transport within their catchments.The zone provides for a wide range of activities including commercial, leisure, high-density residential, tourist, cultural, community and civic services. Zone provisions, in conjunction with rules in the other business zones, reinforce metropolitan centres as locations for all scales of commercial activity.

Precincts and overlays that modify the underlying zone or have additional provisions apply to some of the metropolitan centres. Generally, however, to support an intense level of development, the zone allows for high-rise buildings.

Some street frontages within the zone are subject to a Key Retail Frontage or General Commercial Frontageoverlay. Key retail streets are the focal point of pedestrian activity within the centre. General commercial streetsplay a supporting role. Development fronting these streets is expected to reinforce this function. Rules for the overlay are incorporated in the zone rules.

Buildings within the zone require resource consent to ensure that they are designed to a high standard, which enhance the quality of the centre’s streets and public open spaces.

1.A network of metropolitan centres are developed, that are second only to the city centre in diversity, scale, form and function, and which are a sub-regional focus for commercial, residential, community and civic activities.

2.Key retail streets are the focal point of pedestrian activity, with identified general commercial streetssupporting this role.

1.Enable significant change in metropolitan centres where the outcome can be shown to contribute to the function, amenity, and vitality of the centre and is an efficient use of a centre’s infrastructure.

2.Provide for the greatest concentration, quality and scale of buildings within metropolitan centres, second only to the city centre.

3.Promote and manage the development of the metropolitan centres to provide facilities and services necessary to support their surrounding sub-regional catchment.

4.Enable high intensity activities within metropolitan centres emphasising a wide range of commercial, leisure, tourist, cultural, community and civic services

5.Enable residential development above street level

6.Promote the comprehensive development and redevelopment of sites and / or activities within metropolitan centres.

7.Recognise the importance of particular streets identified on the Key Retail and General CommercialFrontage overlay as primary places for public interaction:

a.by requiring buildings with frontages to these streets to:

i.provide greater ground floor heights to maximise building adaptability to a range of uses

ii.avoid blank walls

iii.provide easily accessible pedestrian entrances

b.and in addition, require building frontages subject to the Key Retail Frontage overlay to

i.maximise glazing

ii.erect frontages of sufficient height to frame the street

iii.provide weather protection to pedestrians

iv.avoid new vehicle crossings.

8.Support the development of public transport, pedestrian and cycle networks and the ability to change transport modes.

9.Encourage supermarkets and department stores within metropolitan centres by recognising:

a.the positive contribution these activities make to centre viability and function, and

b.designs that positively contribute to the streetscape and character of their surroundings, having regard to the functional requirements of these activities.