Phil Twyford
Housing Spokesperson
MEDIA STATEMENT
6 July 2017
Stats confirm growing housing shortfall
National’s failure to fix the housing shortage has been starkly illustrated by new statistics, says Labour Housing
spokesperson Phil Twyford.
Statistics New Zealand has released a new statistical series today, showing the number of houses actually built, rather
than just building consent data.
“Auckland’s population growth under National has been similar to growth under the previous Labour Government – 220,000
people. The difference is that under National just 44,000 houses have been built, compared to 78,000 under Labour.
“When compared to population data this release confirms a housing shortfall of over 30,000 homes has built up under this
Government.
“In the last year only 8,600 houses were built in Auckland, barely half of what was needed to keep up with population
growth. No wonder Auckland Council projects the city’s housing shortage will rise to 50,000 houses in a few years.
“That’s the story of the housing crisis: National has simply failed to get enough houses built. National’s housing
shortage caused house prices to rocket and turned our homes into gambling chips for overseas speculators.
“The lack of housing has caused rents to balloon, increased overcrowding, and forced more and more families to live in
cars and garages.
“After nine years, it’s time to fix National’s mistakes. Labour’s fresh plan for housing will build affordable houses
and sell them to first home buyers at cost, while banning overseas speculators, and shutting down the tax loophole that
speculators exploit,” says Phil Twyford.
ends