Housing New Zealand says it has ramped up its approach to ensuring state homes are warm and dry.
In Hawke's Bay, 366 of the region's 3000 state houses are having work undertaken on them, or have had work completed, since a specialist team was set up last month.
"We are pro-actively identifying tenants who may need additional help, and actively reviewing and prioritising all our maintenance requests that relate to the warmth and dryness of our homes," a Housing NZ spokeswoman said.
The work includes upgrading insulation, installing additional heating and extractor fans, and trimming back vegetation that is blocking the sun.
"We are also providing information for our tenants so they also know what they can do to keep their homes warm and dry.
For example, opening windows for at least a few minutes each day even when it's cold and keeping curtains closed at night to keep warmth in."
Nationally, the corporation has 67,000 properties. The average property age is 44 years, which means they are "more difficult to maintain" than modern properties.
"We spend around $300 million a year on maintaining our properties."
George Reedy, chief executive of Hastings-based health and service provider Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, said the corporation had become "more responsive" in dealing with issues with state homes.
"A lot of our clients live in Housing NZ houses. Housing NZ has worked with us recently in looking at those houses, and making sure they're warm and dry."
In one case Mr Reedy cited, a state house in which infant children lived had carpet installed, so that the children were not crawling on a cold floor.
This week it was revealed state houses were standing empty for years in Hawke's Bay, before being sold on the open market, despite a pressing need for housing.
But Housing NZ said the houses being sold were surplus to requirements, and money made on sales was re-invested in existing housing stock.
The revelation sparked outrage from local leaders, including Napier Labour MP Stuart Nash.
"This situation where state houses are lying empty for months, then only to be flogged off when there are citizens who require a roof over their heads, is simply wrong," Mr Nash said.
"There should never be an empty state house as long as there are Kiwis in need.
"No state house should ever be sold as long as there are families living without shelter."