KiwiBuild's "interim" targets for this electoral term have been scrapped as the Government recalibrates the programme.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Housing Minister Phil Twyford told media from their caucus retreat on Wednesday that their commitment to building 100,000 affordable homes over the next decade remains intact, but the interim targets for this term did not.
The Government has been dealing with the fallout from an admission by Twyford that the Government would not be able build 1000 of the homes by July 1, its first interim target. Instead it expects to build just 300.
KiwiBuild was a flagship policy. It was a platform for three electoral cycles and it was used as a constant crow call when accusing National of "doing nothing" about housing. Now there is deafening silence as the Government effectively abdicates its biggest campaign pledge: the delivery of affordable housing.
There may be a silver lining: If Twyford steps down, he might be able to focus on transport. There are apparently issues with the Light Rail business case which is now months overdue. I'd rather have one or the other than neither.
