The National Government has to be condemned for its lack of commitment to providing New Zealanders with healthy and affordable housing, Labour housing spokesperson Graham Kelly said today.

"Housing New Zealand's maintenance programme is completely inadequate and the Glen Innes study shows that New Zealand families are being forced to endure Third World conditions.

"There has been report after report linking poor housing and overcrowding with serious health problems. This evidence has been ignored by a succession of housing ministers.

"New Zealand has become a less healthy nation under National. In recent years there has been an increase in hospital admissions from childhood diseases that are known to be associated with overcrowding and dampness, including meningococcal disease and respiratory infections. The meningitis epidemic is now being described as a public health emergency.

"Fixing the sorry state of our state houses has to be a priority but the Government is more interested in maximising the profits it can make off low-income people. The Housing Minister won't lift a finger, so I have sought an urgent meeting with Housing New Zealand officials in Auckland," Graham Kelly said.

"I want an assurance from them that the homes of the Glen Innes tenants will be brought up to an acceptable standard and that similar problems throughout Auckland and around New Zealand will be urgently addressed."

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