The Labour Party has not learnt the lessons of its disastrous housing policy during its 1984-90 reign of power, when people were put into home ownership who were entirely unsuited to such responsibility.
What they forgot to factor in to the home start (5% deposit, $63,000 land and house package, subsidised by the taxpayer, with the need to group such properties in close proximity), was the enormous on-going cost in policing and social welfare requirements.
Burdening people with housing debt plus rates, insurance and maintenance on top of time payments for cars and TV, fast food enticements, alcohol, gambling and drugs is asking for trouble.
For those young couples genuinely in need of a first home, yes - there should be some assistance, but minimal in comparison.
In the Western Bay we have static house pricing, lots of cheaper second-hand homes with retired people in their droves moving into new retirement accommodation, new housing at still under $400,000 and interest rates the lowest we've had for a long time.
Almost 30 years on Labour is once again proposing a social time-bomb with our money.
I wouldn't be so worried, only that it is likely to become a reality with the political pendulum swinging dangerously close to New Zealand's irresponsible left.

Doug Morris, Te Puna.