Labour leader Andrew Little and Labour finance spokesman Grant Robertson were in Wanganui yesterday as part of a series of regional visits.
They were accompanied by Te Tai Hauauru MP Adrian Rurawhe and deputy mayor Hamish McDouall for a lunch meeting with Whanganui Employer Chambers of Commerce at Element Cafe, followed by afternoon tea at Tawhero School, where they received a warm welcome and waiata.
Following the school visit they met local social housing agencies at the Unity Centre in Bell St.
Representatives from the Salvation Army, Wanganui Peoples Centre, Women's Refuge and the Wanganui Housing Trust were in attendance.
Mr Little said the purpose of the meeting was to "gauge the range of social and housing issues in Wanganui", and hear what local support agencies were dealing with.
Earlier, Mr Little said he opposed the sale of pensioner housing by local government and also the sale of state housing by central government.
"If we are to keep health spending at manageable levels, we need to provide safe, affordable social housing," he said.
"There needs to be minimal standards for housing and I have a bill in the ballot at the moment."
Mr Little said it was not realistic to expect social agencies like the Salvation Army to manage state housing. "They are not geared-up for it and it is not what they are about."
The Labour representatives will have afternoon tea at the Stratford RSA today and Mr Little will attend Sir Maui Pomare Day celebrations at Owae Marae tomorrow.