Phil Twyford
Housing Spokesperson

9 May 2013

Working groups to progress KiwiBuild

Industry experts have today agreed to take part in three separate working groups to progress Labour’s KiwiBuild plan to help 100,000 families into affordable homes, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford.

“Developers, building companies, urban planners, designers, architects, financiers, social groups and representatives from local government have all taken part in today’s successful Housing Workshop hosted by Labour.

“The working groups set up today will investigate ways to reduce the cost of construction, how a National Policy Statement can help to make efficient use of land and how we can make sure the homes we build are modern, healthy and energy efficient.

“We want KiwiBuild to be ready to roll when Labour takes office. We are grateful for the support from industry and their willingness to be part of a plan to make the dream of home ownership a reality for Kiwis.

“House prices in New Zealand are now more than five times the median household income. There is a severe shortage of affordable homes. Forty years ago, one third of all new homes were starter homes. That’s now just five per cent.

“For the past few decades, the state has been too hands-off with urban development. The Labour Government will change that by taking the bold steps needed to put Kiwis into their first homes,” said Phil Twyford.

ENDS

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