Le’aufa’amulia Asenati
Lole-Taylor
Associate Spokesperson for Housing
2 July, 2014

Government Cutting Corners to Build More Homes

New Zealanders may lose out if building contractors end up favouring overseas suppliers as a result of the Government’s decision to lift import tariffs on a range of building products, says New Zealand First.

“The Government has yet to deliver on its promise to build 39,000 homes in Auckland and now they are cutting corners to get across the line,” says Associate Spokesperson for Housing Le’aufa’amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor.

“Our local suppliers and manufacturers of materials such as insulation, timber products, steel and roofing will suffer when quality New Zealand products are substituted for cheaper materials.

“Damaging New Zealand industry is no way to solve a crisis. These tactics demonstrate that New Zealand’s housing situation isn’t as rosy as the Government says it is.

“The latest report on housing affordability shows that it is getting harder to own a home in most cities.

“The Reserve Bank’s tough home loan rules are not making it any easier for Kiwis to become home owners either, especially in areas where housing is scarce like Auckland and Christchurch. Renting a property is becoming extremely expensive.

“New Zealand First wants the cost of housing reduced, but we believe it can and should be done without making New Zealanders worse off than they already are.

“We would make housing more affordable by addressing excess demand through sensible immigration, and building more houses,” says Mrs Lole-Taylor.

ENDS

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