The Prime Minister John Key began today’s press conference by summarising the announcements he made at the National
Party conference over the weekend. He outlined the parameters of the housing affordability infrastructure fund and said
that it would benefit homeowners, allow tenants more choice and provide the homeless with safety and security. Key also
told the gallery that “we are in the middle of the biggest building boom New Zealand has ever seen” and that the fund
would add to that growth.
When asked about the possibility of a cross party investigation of poverty and homelessness in New Zealand Key replied
that he preferred to use the channels already in place to improve the Government’s response to those issues. He said
that he didn’t think a Select Committee approach was necessary.
Key will be leaving the country this weekend to travel to the EU, the UK and Indonesia to discuss trade and
international relations. He said he would be looking to reinforce relationships in Europe and Britain in a post Brexit
referendum environment. The Prime Minister will be attending commemorations of Bastille Day and the centenary of the
battle of the Somme while in France.