The opposition has taken a swipe at the Government over what it describes as the acute emergency housing crisis in Tauranga.

It's called for a 'more humane” Government response to the screaming need for dry, warm, secure emergency housing in the city, says Labour's housing spokesperson Phil Twyford.

Labour's housing spokesperson Phil Twyford spent the day in Tauranga yesterday.

Phil was in Tauranga yesterday meeting with emergency housing groups on the back of recent stories on people living in garages, cars and risky situations published by Sun Media.

Phil says the stories highlight the human consequences of a housing market that's not working properly.

'It's creating massive stress on people's lives – enough to push them over the edge”

Phil takes his hat off to Kellie Kioa of the Te Tauwharau o te Ora emergency housing trust in Merivale for 'her humanity and heart in responding to the crisis”.

”She is using her own state house and garage to put a roof over the heads of people who are desperate.”

He says it's the absurdity of the situation that Kellie, the night shelter and Merivale Community are trying desperately to meet a need but they need funding and resources to help supply their vital services.

This is what the future could look like according to Phil Twyford.

'Enough emergency housing for say 10 families and ten single people being administered by Kellie and other groups in the city.”

He says it's a model that works elsewhere.

And there are houses, there is apparently vacant Housing NZ stock in the city to meet the need.

'Three years ago, the government tightened the eligibility criteria for state houses – made it incredibly hard. Now there are 3000 vacant state houses around the country. It's a nonsense and a manufactured surplus [preparing houses for sale,” says Phil.

'And there are poor people living in the next street in private rentals, often in cold damp houses and paying twice as much rental.”

Fewer than five per cent of New Zealand families are living in houses provided by the state, council or community, yet says Phil more than 20 per cent of the country is on the bones of its arse.”

'Housing is a core responsibility of the state and it's how we in New Zealand have traditionally ensured struggling mums and dads and kids get a decent roof over their heads and security.”

He points out it's the same security that a state house raised John Key got in the 1960's and that gave him a really good start in life.

'There is a desperate need for emergency houses in Tauranga – we need the Government to step up and assist.”