8 Nov 2009

PM gives leaky home victims a guarantee

1:18 pm on 8 November 2009

A proposed deal to tackle the leaky homes issue would guarantee homeowners access to funds to fix their houses, Prime Minister John Key says.

The six most affected councils - Auckland, North Shore, Waitakere, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch - will discuss the deal on Monday, which is reported to involve the Government paying 10% of costs and councils another 25%.

Mr Key told Television New Zealand programme Q + A the arrangement would allow people to fix their homes and then repay the costs over time.

He would not confirm details of who will contribute what.

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey was reluctant to discuss how much councils will contribute ahead of the meeting, but says homeowners will bear the brunt of the burden.

Mr Harvey says there is no ideal solution to the leaky homes issue, but expects the proposed deal with the Government will endure.