39390 (2024). Rt Hon Chris Hipkins to the Minister of Housing

39390 (2024). Rt Hon Chris Hipkins to the Minister of Housing: Does he stand by the Prime Minister's statement “We want to expand the number of social houses in New Zealand. No doubt about it”, if so, by how many additional social houses does the government anticipate will be built by 1 December 2028?

Hon Chris Bishop: Yes, I stand by this statement. The incoming Government had significant concerns about the financial performance and governance of Kāinga Ora. These concerns have been borne out by the independent review commissioned in December last year. We are committed to improving Kāinga Ora’s performance and closing the fiscal cliff in social housing left by the last government. As at 31 May 2024, the remaining social housing commitments mean that there will be an additional 6,246 social housing places by June 2027. As announced in Budget 2024, the Government has committed to an additional 1,500 social housing places by June 2027. Any additional social housing places post June 2027 will be considered as part of future Budgets.