Smith sells state P-houses to first home buyers

Nick Smith must reassure worried first home buyers that any Housing NZ houses sold under his First Home policy will be tested for P contamination after revelations that three out of seven properties sold in Wanganui tested positive for methamphetamine, says Labour’s housing spokesperson Phil Twyford.

“It beggars belief Housing NZ is flogging off broken down old state houses that have turned out to be P-contaminated. Kiwis want a first house not a P house.

“Nick Smith has promised that 400 state houses will be sold at a discount to first home buyers. But of the 19 houses being sold in Wanganui, 3 of the 7 tested so far have tested positive for P contamination. At that rate, more than 160 of the houses for sale may be contaminated.

“The Minister must guarantee that all these houses will be tested for P contamination before they are put on the market, and if any show traces of meth it must be included in any marketing.

“He also needs to explain whether all the first home buyers who have bought houses so far under his First Home policy will be given the chance to have their homes P-tested at the expense of Housing NZ, and what the Government will do about it if the test is positive.

“This fiasco underlines what a bad joke the Government’s First Home policy is. It was announced as a political stunt to distract attention from the effects of LVR lending restrictions on first home buyers. Now we find Nick Smith’s gift to first home buyers is P-contaminated houses sold at knock down prices,” says Phil Twyford.

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