Chris Bishop has directed Kainga Ora to ditch approximately 3500 planned home builds in 18 months and is selling off more homes than he intends to build.

“Kainga Ora, under the Minister of Housing’s direction, is hocking off a fifth of its vacant land and cancelled 3500 home builds,” Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said.

“Chris Bishop is pouring about $220 million down the drain because his government is hitting pause on building these homes.  

“It has also contributed to 15,000 construction workers losing their jobs, and a building sector that was booming and is now desperate for work.

“Not only has the Government failed to deliver on Nicola Willis’ election promise of 1000 new homes in Auckland, but it has also canned 1527 units in Auckland alone.

“Last time they were in Government, National left New Zealand with 1500 fewer public homes and failed to invest in new ones. This term looks to be much worse.

“It makes no sense to cancel these builds while homelessness rises,” Kieran McAnulty said.