Q+A: Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford interviewed by Corin Dann

Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford is refusing to be drawn on reports that the Chief Executive of the KiwiBuild programme has left his job after just 5 months.

Phil Twyford told the Q+A programme that while he knows that CEO Stephen Barclay is not at work, he won’t comment on the issue further than that.

He says it’s a matter relating to an individual public servant and it wouldn’t be right for him as the Minister to comment on the matter.

National’s Housing Spokesperson Judith Collins however is demanding answers over the issue.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development will also only say that Mr Barclay is away from the office.

Meanwhile Phil Twyford has told Q+A that it is likely the government will probably move away from offering up KiwiBuild houses, that are bought off the plans, in advance of being built.

It follows some sluggish demand for “off the plans” KiwiBuild houses in Wanaka and Te Kauwhata.

Mr Twyford says there have been some teething issues and one of things they’ve learned is that first home buyers don’t won’t to buy a home off the plans that isn’t built for another 18 months.

However he says he’s confident that there is demand for KiwiBuild housing in those regions and they will sell all the KiwiBuild houses on offer.

Please find the full interview here.

Q+A, 9:30pm Sundays on TVNZ 1 and one hour later on TVNZ 1 + 1.

Streamed live at www.tvnz.co.nz

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