Author here, I think that comparing Auckland to other cities is a relevant metric because the property bubble was nationwide but the zoning reform was Auckland only
That rents are increasing slower in Auckland now, compared to other regions, doesn't mean much, because they already spiked through the roof, in far excess of every other region, five years ago.
The title is unfortunately out and out misleading, just because Auckland is still the most expensive city to live in (Queenstown isn't a city).
And if the best that can be claimed is that rents went up a bit slower than other cities, but the increase began from an already far higher level of rent prices, then has Auckland actually solved the cost of housing?
Any New Zealander can answer that in two to three words. Either, "lol, no", or "lol, fuck no"
Unless by lol, you meant "League of Legends", which would make "lol, fuck no" 5 words, not 3.