19 Aug 2009

Govt to guarantee loans on Maori multiply-owned land

9:33 pm on 19 August 2009

The Government will guarantee loans to Maori building homes on multiply-owned land.

Housing Minister Phil Heatley told Waatea News the reluctance of banks to lend against such land has long been a source of frustration for hapu and iwi who want to house their people.

Previous schemes have involved loans against the building, rather than the land.

Mr Heatley says Housing New Zealand will supply the security the banks need.

The minister says Maori groups are lining up to use the scheme, which starts in November.