1. Housing—Affordability and AvailabilityANDREW LITTLE (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime MinisterTUESDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2016Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.ORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSHousing—Affordability and Availability1. ANDREW LITTLE (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that we are seeing a record number of houses being built" given the current rate of dwelling consents per 1000 New Zealanders is less than the average under the previous Labour Government and less than half the record level?Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): It is relieving to see the member today with his clothes on. And the answer to that question is yes.Grant Robertson: Don't be jealous John.Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I know! I was in awe—shock and awe.Mr SPEAKER: Order! Now we will get back to questions for oral answer.Rt Hon JOHN KEY: According to the latest Building Activity Survey from Statistics New Zealand the amount of residential building work in the 3 months to July was the highest since the series began back in the 1980s. That is up 6 percent on the previous record level set in March this year. It is an increase of 50 percent since 2013 and an increase of over 90 percent since the start of 2012. As I said previously building consents have been running at the highest level for over 11 years and we are looking for them to increase further.Andrew Little: Will he take responsibility for fewer than 10000 houses a year being built in Auckland when 13000 are needed?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: There are a number of reasons why house numbers have not met the level that is required. Most of those reasons have been around the metropolitan urban limit restrictions but also the global financial crisis had a big impact on developers not being in the position to be able to fulfil building plans. The good news is that we are narrowing that gap rapidly and under very low interest rates and a strong economy more and more New Zealanders are buying a home.Andrew Little: Are enough affordable houses being built in New Zealand today; if not what excuse does he have after 8 long years?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: There are a range of houses being built across New Zealand at a range of different prices. One looks at the KiwiSaver HomeStart programme—around the regions that is being used by a great many New Zealanders. We think it will benefit over 90000. But even as of the recent data today over 30 percent of all sales that took place in Auckland in the last 12 months were at $650000 or less.Andrew Little: In light of information out today showing that the average house price in Auckland is now over $1 million just how serious is he about getting more New Zealanders into an affordable home?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: The honourable member answered that himself when he noted the big increase in the number of properties being built under the National-led Government. Yes it is less than what is probably required but we are getting very close to getting that number delivered each year. If one looks at the Government's comprehensive plan it is everything from releasing public land to extra people being trained in the sector. We are in the biggest building boom we have seen and this is the largest number of people ever employed in the construction sector. There are more houses to be built but this Government is helping to assist those houses to be built.Andrew Little: What excuses does he make to Aucklander JP van der Westhuizen who says: "My wife and I have got good jobs and earn decent money especially for our age. … It's a vicious cycle rent is so high that you can't save. The whole DIY Kiwi dream is becoming more and more unachievable. It's pretty ridiculous."?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: That would not be borne out by the number of people who are using KiwiSaver HomeStart which is for first-home buyers. Secondly what is happening is that of course you do have house prices going up in both Auckland and generally around New Zealand but that is fuelled by extremely low interest rates and also a very buoyant economy. We have one of the fastest-growing economies in the developed world the second-highest employment rate in the world and one of the lowest unemployment rates.Andrew Little: Does he accept that the reason 10000 Kiwi kids under 15 are now homeless is that he and his Government have failed to fix the housing crisis?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I do not accept the premise of the member's question.Andrew Little: I seek leave to table a table that shows the result of the Otago University research showing that 10000 children under 15 are now homeless.Mr SPEAKER: Order! Can I just understand—the source of the document is an Otago University research document?Andrew Little: That is correct.Mr SPEAKER: And has it been publicly released by the university?Andrew Little: I am not aware of how it has been published because I have got only a hard copy at this point. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! I would advise members in the future that they will be asked that question and I will expect them to be ready. But on the basis that it has not been checked leave has been sought to table that particular report. Is there any objection? There is none. It can be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.Andrew Little: Will any of the excuses he has offered today help a single family buy their first home or help even one homeless child into a warm safe home tonight?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Well the number of houses being built both in Auckland and around New Zealand has been dramatically increasing in the time since I have been Prime Minister from 10 a day to well over 40 a day. Just today the Government announced that there will be an additional $24 million going to support community housing providers. There was $50 million allocated in the Budget for emergency support. This is the Government that raised benefits for the first time in 43 years. This is the Government that also allocates over $2 billion a year to accommodation supplements and the like. I think the argument saying that we are not doing anything to help less-well-off New Zealanders simply does not hold water."