Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Top Scoops

Book Reviews | Gordon Campbell | Scoop News | Wellington Scoop | Community Scoop | Search

 

Labour and National go head to head over KiwiBuild

5:46 am today
Jane Patterson, Political Editor

Housing minister Phil Twyford and National's Judith Collins have gone head to head in Parliament over the affordability of houses to be built under the government's flagship policy, KiwiBuild.

Phil Twyford Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

KiwiBuild is designed to help first home buyers, especially in Auckland, get into the property market. The aim is to build 100,000 affordable homes over the next 10 years.

Last week the government raised the maximum price for a three bedroom home in Auckland and Queenstown by $50,000, up to $650,000. It was done due to rising land prices and building costs.

Ms Collins asked whether there would be an income limit on people who would be able to purchase a Kiwibuild home.

In response, Mr Twyford said there was not one at present because Cabinet was still deciding on the exact rules.

Ms Collins asked him about an example of a New Zealand-born couple returning home from living overseas.

Mr Twyford repeated there were no income limits because "the decision has not been made yet".

She then asked about other rules that could apply, including whether KiwiBuild home owners would be able to rent out rooms "for profit".

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

There were "only a few more sleeps" before he could answer such questions, Mr Twyford said.

There was controversy over his response to Treasury forecasts halving the early economic impact of Kiwibuild, at $2.5 billion over five years.

Mr Twyford questioned that analysis and said some of the "kids" at Treasury were "fresh out of university" and "disconnected from reality". That earned him a rebuke from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who said he had gone too far with the name calling.


© Scoop Media

 
 
 
Top Scoops Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.