Demanding the government adopt an industrial-scale state house building programme

1. I don’t notice any building companies signing the petition. Unless its a four million dollar spec house they are just not interested. Lets not forget we need to put them somewhere that’s not a a two hour commute.

   They only way we could do this is to turn the whole thing over to the Chinese or similar. They can bring in the materials, labor at fifty cents an hour and live on sites. Once finished return home.

   • Totally agree. Seek proposals and costs from Taiwanese, Malaysian, Chinese who take our logs, to bring containers of kitset house components, fixtures and other household furniture, and bring their labour over to assemble the buildings on prepared foundations. Main problem is the availability and cost of land which the Key government promoted and has been the main cost of a property purchase. Golf courses, parks, Maori land could be made available for this project.

2. And here’s me thinking you voted Labour five years ago so they could do exactly that – build lots of houses. I didn’t vote Labour, not because I didn’t want houses built but because I knew this current crop were too incompetent to make it happen.
   I was correct.
   So you can petition them all you like, but you can’t petition the incompetence out of them.

3. Not sure we have the skill set here in NZ to do such a thing, we managed to do it in the 1940-1960’s however we don’t appear to have politican’s or companies capable of delivering the required outcomes.

   We are still too busy with Covid to manage anything like this.

   • You mean politicians lack the will to do this. Look at the houses that the young ones at polytech are now making. We will always have a reason, always be too busy, to do anything about this.

     It is totally shameful. We must force politicians to do this because they seem incapable on their own, they theoretically are our representatives.

     The government can get land far cheaper than anyone else. They can buy materials in bulk, they can borrow money at a way cheaper rate. Although they currently have made Kainga ora borrow their own money so that it doesn’t show on the government books which is totally ridiculous.

     House building happening right here in little old Waltham, more units than I can count 3 to a property all at least $650,000. Waltham is a low socio economic area. Every tree has been removed on all these sections.

   • It’s not a skill set that is required, rather it is the political will and determination to do this.

     There are plenty of people and organisations that can make this happen and it should happen.

     All it needs is for someone (or a small group) to drive this agenda hard and fast and smash the existing power structures that exist to prevent this from happening.

     That means compulsory purchase and demolition of large areas of aged, worn out and no longer fit for purpose state housing. Flatten Mt Roskill for example, build 2000 high density homes along transport corridors, etc.

     Will never happen though as John will be out there protesting that a state house should be a house for life.

     Also, the way we incentivise councils to open land up needs to change and the funding for infrastructure needs adjusting.

     Most of all though, we need to build roads and transport networks ahead of opening up massive areas to collapse the cost of land.

     Look north of Albany, literally millions of acres of land currently sliced up into lifestyle blocks. Just take it all, build some beautiful motorways and a new bridge and then open all that land up for new housing.

     Land prices will implode overnight and the cost of housing will be affordable.

     Shame the economy will also die but we will all be able to buy cheaper houses although most of us will be looking for work…

     • Yeti said:
       “Look north of Albany, literally millions of acres of land currently sliced up into lifestyle blocks. Just take it all, build some beautiful motorways and a new bridge and then open all that land up for new housing.”

       And that’s the key issue. Auckland Council retains their rural/urban boundary to prevent just what you’re proposing. The ‘mink & manure’ elite don’t want the hoi polloi building a row of houses next to them. It’s no surprise then that both Auckland mayors have lifestyle blocks.

       This is what Labour represents today – are you getting the picture?

4. Don’t always agree with everything you have to say @ JM but on this issue support you wholeheartedly and have signed the petition
   Best of luck

5. After the latest Roy Morgan poll there may be some action finally after 4 years of doing nothing but talk. We need a better Minster but cannot see one in Labours ranks

6. Goddam excellent. Clearly not much progress since One Million BC!

7. It really depends what they build.
   The current: no parking facilities, no green areas (where do the children play?) regulations are a surrender to right wing property developers championed by the ACT and National Party.

   It is a sure road to slum conditions. Which they seem to want with low wages (Failing to recognise higher wages = more spend = less poverty = more profit)

   In Switzerland for example there are rules around green areas with BBQ’s and kids playground per “X” number of dwellings. We need to look to European models not SE Asian models.

   Before we embark any further on any developments on any housing/property developments we need similar regulations in NZ. The current build to the boundaries up 6 stories with no parking or any other facilities are nothing short a of a crime. they are slums being built.

   It is my belief that the next step is the out sourcing of Social Housing and this is really the current plan: i.e. profit for the big property developers and rental agencies. It is not about social housing. It is a big con and you are being conned.

   Whether you tend towards Labour or National in your voting, surely anybody can see the failures that all the main parties, across the board, are indulging in with housing

8. Excellent initiative.

   This will resonate with many new gen voters paying extortionate rents for overpriced dumps, and with those in an “elder poverty” situation–flatting or living in a camper van in their 60s and beyond…and maybe even those that bought into the housing dream and are on the cusp of mortgage default…oh dear how unfortunate…

   A community organising campaign and activism including occupying empty residential and commercial properties will help move these demands along. This could be a significant factor in the 2023 and 2026 General Elections, and a move to finally retire the NZ neo liberal state. 40 years of “Roger’n’Ruth’s” toxic legacy is enough!

9. Woods might as well be in orbit she is that far out of her depth.

   • Circling the Moon.

10. Its a no brainer, as is soft loans for first home buyers,a levy on empty homes and stamp duty for investors.

    The banks only exist by dint of the mortgage business and can’t see their influence…waning.

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