Government has finally agreed to allow building products manufacturers in Auckland to operate under level 4 conditions.

Many of NZ’s critical building materials are manufactured in Auckland, like insulation, GIB board and colour steel for roofing.

After three weeks of level 4 lockdown in Auckland stocks of insulation, GIB and roofing material have run out around the country meaning many houses are on-hold mid completion for an unknown amount of time. We have several projects mid construction and none are able to be completed at this time.

Housing is an essential service. This government has told us housing is critical for years now. They talk about the housing shortage, they blame house price increases on property investors so they can tax them more, they spent a fortune on the failed Kiwibuild, and then at the first opportunity they shut down the building industry.

It’s time we turned away from this blind focus on one health outcome. The country’s entire focus is on Covid, at the detriment to everything else. If you are waiting on an operation, like a hip replacement and hobbling around in pain, too bad. If you are locked in a motel room with your kids in not so temporary housing, too bad. If your cafe or restaurant or small business needs to be shut down for good, too bad.

Yes, in the next few weeks we might get insulation, GIB and roofing iron again, but then what? What other shortages will arise?

NZ needs to move on.

John Kenel
Assured Property

Source: RNZ.co.nz

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