Media Release

22 January 2008

Owning Your Own Home is Still the Issue for Kiwis

Despite the backlash of criticism at an international housing survey which revealed that New Zealand had the least affordable housing among the six countries surveyed, New Zealand First says we still need to address the core issue that owning their own home is now beyond the reach of many ordinary Kiwis.

“It’s appalling that New Zealand came last in the survey,” said housing spokesperson Pita Paraone.

“It’s time all parties involved in housing and the building industry united to find real solutions to this escalating problem rather than tit-for-tat squabbling, which does nothing to help struggling first-time buyers and low-income families get their foot on the housing ladder.

“New Zealand First believes that all New Zealanders should have quality, affordable accommodation. Existing government housing policy is failing ordinary Kiwis.

“An insatiable appetite for property investment, a population explosion through immigration, no foreign ownership restrictions and low wages are further impediments to the pursuit of the Kiwi dream of owning their own home.

“Let’s do something now before more Kiwis are lured across the ditch to Oz,” said Mr Paraone.

ENDS

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