Beyer Georgina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Question Time Questions to Members 
Beyer Georgina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Question Time Questions to Members 
[Volume:607;Page:4485] 
1. GEORGINA BEYER (NZ Labour—Wairarapa) 
 to the  
Minister of Housing 
: What commitment does the Government have towards housing older people? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Acting Minister of Housing) 
: 
 I am pleased to report that tomorrow the Prime Minister will open a $9.9 million development in Lynfield. This complex provides 51 units designed primarily for elderly New Zealanders although other units have been modified for the use of people with a disability. The design standard of those units sets a new benchmark for State houses in New Zealand. I am extremely proud of them. 
Georgina Beyer 
: What future housing plans does the Government have for Auckland? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: The Government is determined to increase the housing stock which was severely depleted during the 1990s. The problem is particularly acute in Auckland where there is heavy demand for housing. As a result more than 80 percent of all new Housing New Zealand acquisitions are in Auckland. In its first term this Government has added an extra 1150 State houses in Auckland. That does not include the 1660 Auckland City Council houses the Government purchased recently. In total over the next four financial years we expect to increase Auckland’s State housing stock by another 2500 net. 
Dr Lynda Scott 
: In the light of the fact that one of the largest issues facing older New Zealanders and housing is whether this Government will stand by its commitment to remove asset testing of their houses when faced with residential care can he tell us why asset testing has not been removed as promised by Labour at two elections? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: I know the National Party will be anxious about that because it has no policy at all on the issue. However we on this side of the House will keep our word. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: I ask the Minister to answer the question. Why has Labour failed to keep its promise after two elections and could he eliminate any answer in respect of the National Party’s policy because we know it does not have one? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The first part of the question can be answered. 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: The Labour Party undertook to introduce legislation prior to the election. As people know we had an early election last year and as a result we explained to people that we would put the legislation as soon as we could after the election—[ 
Interruption 
] It was actually the member’s fault because he called for it repeatedly. I know that the National Party is embarrassed because it does have a policy: it wants to keep asset testing. 
Dr Muriel Newman 
: In the light of the fact that Labour’s income-related rents policy has resulted in thousands of families in urgent need not being able to get a State house what does he intend to do to encourage those people with less urgent needs who sit tight on their cheaper rents to move on? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: On the contrary for 53000 households in this country the introduction of income-related rents has meant more money in their pockets every single week and that is why it is such a popular policy. We now have an active policy of working with those people to move them to suitable accommodation and of course to build new accommodation more suited to them.