A lot of criticism coming Labour's way over Kiwibuild and their allowing people on somewhat higher incomes to qualify for one of the government's affordable homes.
This kind of criticism is quite unfair and forgets New Zealand history. Since the mid 1930's, NZ governments have always built houses to sell or to rent out. This has been done to mix up neighbourhoods so you don't end up with ghettos. On one side of the street State houses for rent, on the other, State houses for sale. It has worked well, NZ has led the world in providing housing for its people.
Those opposed either aren't that clever, or they're greedy. Under the last National government things drifted badly. National didn't do the construction and that lack of supply forced up house prices as the population increased. More people were chasing the same number of houses.
The winners in this scenario were existing home-owners. They did well and many National voters want to continue pocketing those capital gains. But that isn't good for society so they'll just have to suck it up. NZ needs house construction and it needs it yesterday.
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