100,000 families in warmer, drier, greener homes

The success of the Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart home insulation scheme is an example of smart, green economics at work, said the Green Party today.

Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei and Energy spokesperson Dr Kennedy Graham joined the Prime Minister at the ribbon cutting event today as the 100,000th home was made warmer and drier under the joint-initiative between the Green Party and the Government.

"We want all New Zealanders to live in dry, healthy homes powered by affordable green energy. The success of this project shows it's possible," said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei.

"The home insulation project was a long standing Green Party policy that the Government was able to use to create jobs when the building sector slowed down in 2009.

"New Zealand will reap the economic benefits in health and energy savings worth over $500 million from these 100,000 homes alone," said Mrs Turei.

Mrs Turei said the Government estimated that 2,000 jobs will be created over the four years of the programme.

"Most importantly, 300,000 New Zealanders - over half of them on low incomes - will be warmer and healthier this winter, thanks to this scheme," said Mrs Turei.

Dr Kennedy Graham said that the scheme would be good for air quality and climate change.

"By insulating houses and providing clean heating devices, New Zealanders can reduce their energy consumption. This means lower greenhouse gas emissions where people have previously used inefficient heaters.

"It will also mean cleaner air in communities that have relied heavily on open fires or old wood-burning devices," said Dr Graham.

Mrs Turei said she was proud of the role the Green Party played in getting the scheme on the radar of the Government.

"We're in Parliament because we want to look after New Zealand and all of its people. This project has been our biggest win yet," said Mrs Turei.

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