Builders angry at Govt plans

Housing Minister Nick Smith and Commerce Minister Craig Foss revealed an options paper this week that is the second stage of a proposal to bring down the cost of house building materials.

Smith said: "Building materials costs are too high and can be as much as 30 per cent more in New Zealand than in Australia according to the Productivity Commission. The industry needs a shake-up through increased competition and greater transparency to ensure kiwi families can get access to more fairly priced building materials and homes.”

He said he was also concerned about a lack of transparency for consumers about what benefits builders got from using certain products.

"Bringing down the cost of building materials is an important component of the Government’s major work programme to improve housing affordability. We are taking action on a range of fronts including freeing up land supply, reforming the RMA, reigning in council development charges, keeping interest rates lower for longer, investing in skills and productivity, and support.”