9. PHIL HEATLEY (National—Whangarei) Link to this
to the Minister of Housing
Has he read the report Housing Supply in the Auckland Region 2000-2005 prepared for Housing New Zealand Corporation and the Centre for Housing Research; if so, what is his Government’s response to its observation that “A number of factors have constrained supply. One of these has been a limited supply of land. Another contributor has been difficulties in the consents process, especially its time consuming nature”?
Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Housing) Link to this
Yes, I was briefed on the report by its author, Dr Grimes, prior to its publication, and I noted its support for our Hobsonville project, which is opposed, of course, by John Key and the National Party. The Auckland metropolitan urban limit has already been moved five times since 1999. I am also advised by the Ministry for the Environment that it is currently working with a number of councils to help improve the speed of their consent processes. As I have stated a number of times, the Government is not opposed to adjustments to the urban metropolitan limit, but these must be well planned and should not lead to endless, sprawling suburbs with their inherent transport and infrastructure costs.
What changes to the Resource Management Act is he promoting to the Minister for the Environment in order to improve housing supply, given that his own report states: “The RMA process needs a revamp.”?
The Ministry for the Environment has staff working at the moment with a number of territorial authorities around New Zealand to improve the processes under the Resource Management Act. It is really simplistic to say that gutting the Resource Management Act will solve the problem. It will not. It is about the capacity of local government, and this Government is helping.
Dave HereoraWhat reports has the Minister seen about reactions to proposals floated at the weekend to gut the Resource Management Act and abolish metropolitan urban limits?
I have received uniformly negative reports. The Taranaki Daily News said that Mr Key had “offered platitudes and vagaries, political smoke and mirrors. And you can’t buy a house with that.” A Christchurch city councillor, Bob Parker, said that scrapping city limits is simplistic and short-term thinking. The asked how Mr Key could square gutting the Resource Management Act with his supposed new commitment to the environment. And, more of the same, the National Party’s housing policies were recently described in the as mischievous and illogical.
Pita ParaoneTēnā koe, Madam Speaker. Does the Minister agree that in order to address the current housing affordability crisis both the supply of, and demand for, housing must be addressed; if so, has he had any discussions with the Minister of Immigration regarding the issue of housing affordability, given the huge impact that immigration has had on the demand for housing, especially in the Auckland region?
I agree that the Government needs to provide leadership, and we are doing so with a number of initiatives. I continue to talk with my colleagues to see how we can enhance issues like the Welcome Home Loan scheme and the development of greenfield sites, like those at Hobsonville and Weymouth, in order to provide affordable homes for people to rent.
Sue BradfordHas the Minister read the submissions from Local Government New Zealand and the Wellington City Council to the housing affordability inquiry this morning, which state that there actually is enough land within our major urban areas for our growing housing needs for at least the next 15 years; and does he agree that encouraging urban sprawl will only create higher costs in infrastructure, without necessarily ensuring that new housing is any more affordable?
I have not yet read the Wellington submission, but I agree with the member when I think about what happens in Auckland. In Auckland, the current metropolitan urban limit contains 1,500 hectares that currently are not in housing development, and if current applications that are being put in are successful, we will have housing supply available until 2022, based on current demand.
Dr Pita SharplesTēnā koe, Madam Speaker. Is the Minister aware of the conclusions in the Housing Supply in the Auckland Region 2000-20 05 report that South Auckland housing stress is likely to be a continuing feature, with high occupancy rates staying at around 3.6; and when can the mainly Māori and Pasifika families in the greater Manukau community expect to see a specific plan that responds to their desperate need for housing?
I certainly agree with the member that Auckland is suffering housing distress, as is every large urban centre in similar circumstances in countries such as Australia, the UK, Canada, and elsewhere. But this Government is committed to providing affordable housing for ordinary people. We are not interested in simplistic slogans and clichés. What we are looking at is providing opportunities for people. We have already had almost 3,000 people access the Welcome Home Loan scheme. We are doing major developments like that at Hobsonville, which will provide 3,000 homes, with 15 percent being for first home buyers. There are lots of initiatives going on. Most of all, of course, we did not sell 13,000 State houses like National did.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. My question related to the Manukau community, not the communities he talked about.
Madam SPEAKERI think the Minister addressed the question, but if he wants to add anything, he has an opportunity to do so.
One of the major areas where the Housing New Zealand Corporation has been developing its rental stock, making up for the 13,000 houses that were sold under National—7,000 have been built since we came back into Government—is the South Auckland area. Many are in that area. One-third of our tenants are of Māori origin, and one-third are Pacific peoples. As far as providing affordable rental accommodation in Manukau City is concerned, we have a proud record.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Minister said the Government had built 7,000 State houses. He might like to correct that figure, because I have answers to my written questions that state he has leased at least half of those houses. So that figure is misleading.
I do not want to go through previous rulings. That is not a point of order; it is a matter of debate.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Tēnā koe, Madam Speaker. Kia ora tātou. Has the Minister read the research on Māori housing trends, which states that despite low and declining homeownership rates of less than 50 percent, most Māori have a strong desire to own their homes, but that “housing policy responses have been inconsistent and uncoordinated between delivery agencies.”; and when will a Māori housing strategy be implemented?
Yes, I have read the report, and am working closely with my Associate Minister of Housing, the Hon Dover Samuels. We are looking at ways in which we can speed up the delivery of housing for Māori people in rural areas. One of the big issues is the provision of skilled people; builders, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and so on. Figures that Mr Maharey just gave to the House during the previous question showed that many New Zealanders are in work. That has created an absolute skills shortage in rural areas, and that is something we are trying to address.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Does he recall his answer in the House of 27 June 2007, when he said: “I have been concerned for some time that progress on Māori housing has not been as rapid as it could have been. Some very significant announcements to speed this up will be made in the next few weeks.”; and given that it has been 7 weeks since that statement, on what date will he make those “significant” announcements?
What streamlining of the Building Act is he promoting to the Minister of Building and Construction to improve housing supply, given that today’s Local Government New Zealand submission to the affordability inquiry states: “Requirements for councils under the Building Act add increased complexity and requirements to the consent process, increase costs and potentially lengthen the processing times. Councils expect the situation to worsen.”?
What a fascinating question from a representative of a political party that deregulated the building code and created leaky homes! I am working closely with my colleague the Minister for Building and Construction to ensure that New Zealand consumers never again have leaky homes, which were caused by the National Government.
Does the Minister agree with his own report, and with the submission of the Reserve Bank to the affordability inquiry, which states: “Land availability, planning regulations, and construction prices have influenced the cost of supplying houses in recent years.”; if so, what is he doing about land availability, planning regulations, and construction prices?
I agree that a whole range of issues affect housing prices, but I stand in the House proud to be a member of a Government that is ensuring that consumers never again have leaky homes, which is what happens when one guts regulations.
Why is he steadfastly refusing to promote fixing the Resource Management Act, refusing to promote streamlining the Building Act, not freeing up more land, and not boosting trade training in schools, when everyone else agrees with John Key that these initiatives would help those families struggling to buy their first home?
That is an interesting question from a member of a party that abolished apprenticeships! The Labour Government is committed to providing—
The Labour-led Government is committed to providing affordable and decent homes for all Kiwis. That is why we brought in income-related rents, that is why we created initiatives like the Welcome Home Loan scheme, that is why we are providing greenfield sites like that at Hobsonville, and that is why we brought in Modern Apprenticeships—so that we can create craftspeople to build those houses. This Government has a proud record in housing.
I seek leave to table the Government’s own report criticising the Resource Management Act and recommending sensible land—
I seek leave to table the Local Government New Zealand submission criticising the Building Act—just like John Key suggests.
I seek leave to table the Council of Trade Unions report demanding more trade training in schools.
I seek leave to table the Reserve Bank’s submission agreeing with all this, as well.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. On another matter, which we canvassed before, I want to know from you the avenues that I can pursue. I know that Chris Carter has not built 7,000 State houses; I know for a fact that he has leased up to at least one-half of them. How do I address that, because that is misleading the House?