Aucklanders wanting to preserve their lower-density neighbourhoods have had a win over Auckland Council, after the city's leadership was defeated 13-8 in a vote this evening.

Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski

The council will now not press on with proposals for higher-density housing in its case to the independent panel that is weighing up the city's Unitary Plan.

The vote came after a five-hour extraordinary council meeting and delivers an unprecedented defeat to Mayor Len Brown and the political leadership.

A majority of councillors have argued that the higher than previously agreed density included in the evidence, now lodged with an independent hearing panel, should have first gone to affected home owners.

But council staff told councillors that the process was set by government, and did not provide for consultation at the point that the council responded to other submissions on zoning and density.

Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski

Look back at proceedings here.