Housing Minister Nick Smith has accused the Labour Party of misleading the public by claiming that 3700 State houses are vacant.
Labour leader David Shearer says by May this year, 3703 state houses were empty - an increase of 405 since January 2012, or 40%.
But Dr Smith said many of the homes listed as vacant are either undergoing repairs or have been deemed an earthquake risk.
"The actual number that are tenantable, can be leased out and are vacant is about 400. That is less than half a percent of Housing New Zealand stock and, in my view, actually shows the properties are being pretty well managed and maximising the number of families that we provide quality housing for."
Dr Smith said State houses are being repaired to make them available to rent again, however some of Housing New Zealand's quake-prone buildings would have to be demolished.
David Shearer visited one of the empty houses in Farmer Crescent in the Lower Hutt suburb of Pomare on Thursday and said a Labour-led Government would require Housing New Zealand to move families into houses rather than leave them empty.
