Twyford vs Collins: Twitterstorm raises questions about who should qualify for Kiwibuild

After a graduate doctor and marketing manager became the latest KiwiBuild homeowners on the weekend, questions are being raised about the Government's flagship scheme and whether it is aimed at helping the most disadvantaged into housing.

Debate is raging on social media over the Government scheme, with criticism that the middle classes are benefiting after Sunday's Papakura launch where Prime Minister Jacinda Adern stood outside the new home of graduate doctor Derryn Jayne and marketing manager Fletcher Ross.

Twyford at the home of Stephanie Belcher in Tamatea, Napier, in August. Photo / Paul Taylor

Opposition MP Judith Collins lashed out at Housing and Transport Minister Phil Twyford, who responded with his own series of tweets.

Collins, the Opposition spokesperson for Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development and Planning (Resource Management Act), hit out at commentary over the couple.

Just the sort of lie I’d expect from Phil Twyford. At no stage have I ‘gone on Facebook & trolled the personal pages’ of anyone. Good on the young couple for taking an opportunity afforded by an enthusiastic but incompetent minister who never worries about detail. https://t.co/MTnPdEYQPt

— Judith Collins (@JudithCollinsMP) October 29, 2018

Twyford's accusation arises from a comment posted by Collins referencing an Instagram post, in which the Ross makes the statement "204 countries + 7 seas and I had the privilege of meeting you".

Collins' follow-on Tweet suggests she took this post to mean the pair had travelled to 204 different countries.

204 countries- maybe doesn’t need taxpayer support.. #JustSaying https://t.co/IgHA9TcXY5

— Judith Collins (@JudithCollinsMP) October 29, 2018

The post, in fact, references a popular romantic meme, which alludes to the serendipity of the couple meeting.

Twitter semantics aside, the discussion between the pair of politicians raises an important debate about what the Kiwibuild initiative should achieve and who should benefit from it.

Twyford leapt to KiwiBuild's defence, saying a generation of young Kiwis with "good jobs" are being priced out of the housing market, which shows just how bad the situation has become.

A generation of young kiwis – with good jobs – are priced out of home ownership. It shows how bad the national housing crisis has become, that young families with jobs that would have traditionally enabled them to buy a home are locked out of home ownership. 3/7

— Phil Twyford (@PhilTwyford) October 29, 2018

Twyford has previously said KiwiBuild is "middle class" and "aspirational" and today he went further, saying it's really about increasing homeownership levels.

Been a lot of discussion on here about KiwiBuild. KiwiBuild is about home ownership – increasing the supply of homes at the lowest quartile price. Currently only 5% of new builds are at the lower quartile, so there are very few modest starter homes for young families. 1/7

— Phil Twyford (@PhilTwyford) October 29, 2018

Collins said today: "Hats off to the young couple but to say they're a family in need is entirely wrong. Phil Twyford has been saying KiwiBuild is for low-income people with children but on the weekend, a home went to a very high-income couple."

Instead of KiwiBuild, National would reform the Resource Management Act "which has stopped development and we would reform planning laws for the building and construction sector and actually get the market to build houses", Collins said.