Law changes are to be made to ensure the marathon planning hearings on the future shape of Auckland finish on schedule.
The Government plans to allow additional members to be appointed to the independent panel hearing Auckland's Unitary Plan, which will set the city's development rules for the next 30 years, so it can split to run more than one hearing at a time.
The change to the Resource Management Act will be made by the year's end, with the panel due next year to hear more than 5000 submissions on zoning changes.
The panel is required to report back by July to the Auckland Council, which must accept or challenge its recommendations.