Motu is an economic and public policy research institute. The free Auckland Public Policy Seminars are organised by Motu in cooperation with the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development and the University of Auckland Masters of Public Policy programme.
The next seminar is The case for performance rating homes.
Thursday, 07 May 2009, 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Peter Neilson, Chief Executive, Business Council for Sustainable Development
Rangitoto Rooms, Chapman Tripp, Level 35, 23 Albert St, Auckland
Abstract
Last November the Business Council published the results of a two-year $300,000 research project on how to improve the performance of New Zealand’s homes. The research and associated national survey of New Zealanders found a million of the nation’s 1.6 million homes are performing poorly: 45% are mouldy, 64% have no insulation under their floors; 29% do not have fully insulated ceilings and 71% do not have all walls insulated, while 6% have no insulation at all. Surveys indicate some 260,000 homes are making their occupants ill. While the National and Green parties have since agreed on an insulation upgrade package for housing, a national performance rating is needed to provide a value proposition and an incentive for hundreds of thousands of New Zealand homeowners to upgrade. This presentation outlines the case for performance ratings and the latest package of policy incentives which will prompt 670,000 homeowners to take advantage of loans, mortgage extensions (and Government grants aimed at those on low incomes with health issues) within the next 10 years. Given the right package, 210,000 could invest in the next 12 months.
Papers from previous Auckland Public Policy Seminars are on the Motu website, and more of their publications are in our library.