John Key’s comments that young Aucklanders should look to buy apartments instead of houses on quarter acre sections show that he wouldn’t make a very good real estate agent because he clearly doesn’t know his market, the Green Party said.
“Most young Aucklanders I talk to long ago gave up on the idea of a quarter acre section and would be happy with an apartment for their first home,” Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said.
“The problem is apartments get snapped up by investors, who get a free ride to exploit loopholes and make huge capital gains under this Government.
“If John Key’s had enough of being Prime Minister and is looking for a new job as a real estate agent, he’s going to need to get to know his market a bit better.
“Young people have been at the forefront of campaigns to get more apartments and terraced homes built in Auckland, such as through the Unitary Plan.
“John Key’s idea that first home buyers are being too picky shows how out of touch he is.
“Now that the Auckland Unitary Plan has been passed, the Government needs to do its bit by fixing the building code and cracking down on property speculators, so more quality urban homes are built for first home buyers,” said Mrs Turei.