7. Housing Auckland—Supply and MeasurementPHIL TWYFORD (Labour—Te Atatū) to the Minister for Building and ConstructionHousing Auckland—Supply and Measurement7. PHIL TWYFORD (Labour—Te Atatū) to the Minister for Building and Construction: Does he stand by his statement that this is a golden era" for the building industry; if so why?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for Building and Construction): Yes and I thank the member for enabling me again to highlight that the industry is experiencing its longest and strongest boom ever. Investment is at an all-time high of $20 billion per year in the year to April and the latest household labour force survey showed in March 233000 people working in construction—that is the highest number ever.Phil Twyford: Does he accept the estimated shortfall of 30000 homes in Auckland included in his own Auckland Housing Accord—a document he signed?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The Auckland Housing Accord was signed a bit over 4 years ago. It provided for the special housing areas. It has seen since the level of home construction in Auckland go from 4000 homes to 10000 homes being built per year in that city. That accord sets out a goal of getting to 13000 homes. I will be continuing to push for new home construction until that target is met.Phil Twyford: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I listened very carefully to the Minister's answer. I asked about whether he accepted a figure that was included—Mr SPEAKER: On this occasion I will invite the member to repeat his supplementary question.Phil Twyford: Thank you. Does he accept the estimated shortfall of 30000 homes in Auckland included in his own Auckland Housing Accord—a document he signed?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: In the time it was set which is now nearly 4 years ago.Phil Twyford: Does he accept the estimate of the Auckland Council's Independent Hearings Panel made during the preparation of the unitary plan that Auckland has an estimated shortfall of 40000 dwellings?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Any estimates on the housing shortfall are very dependent on the assumption of how many people there are per home. A small change and a difference—[Interruption] I am saying that if you vary the assumption by just 0.1 person per household that can vary that estimate by 10000 or 20000. It will always be an estimate. I am simply focused on getting more houses built and the record of the last 4 years shows very strong growth and the progress that we are making.Phil Twyford: Does he accept the estimate made by his own officials in a joint Treasury - Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) paper in April 2016 that the shortfall of dwellings is now more than 30000 and on current trends will not be eliminated until after 2030?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: No the member misrepresents that report. I would also point out that the best indication as to whether housing supply and demand are in balance is price and I welcome the fact that over the last 8 months house prices in Auckland have been static. This is equally so in Christchurch where supply is well in control in respect of demand. We have actually seen house prices and rents fall showing the importance of growing supply.Phil Twyford: What does he think is stronger evidence of denial: denying there is a housing crisis; denying Auckland Council's estimate of the shortfall of housing; denying his own officials' estimate of the shortfall; or denying that his officials even gave him that advice as he did this morning at the select committee?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The worst denial I have seen is when the household labour force survey shows a record number of people working in construction when the building consent data shows the strongest level of building construction in more than a decade when the GDP figures show that there is a housing boom and when the member opposite says that no houses are being built.Phil Twyford: I seek the leave of the House to table a Treasury-MBIE document that sets out the estimate of a 30000-plus shortfall of houses in Auckland.Mr SPEAKER: I just need to check: is that not freely available to members?Phil Twyford: Well it was received by my office under the Official Information Act.Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Over a year ago.Mr SPEAKER: Order! On that basis I will put the leave and the House will decide. Leave is sought to table the Treasury-MBIE document. Is there any objection to it being tabled? There is objection. [Interruption] Order!"