Key launches Ratana housing plan

Prime-minister John Key made a whistle-stop visit to Wanganui on Saturday to launch the Ratana housing strategy.

Mr Key was presented with plans for the Ratana Pa housing project, which aims to build 50 new housing lots on the pa.

Currently 450 people live at Ratana Pa, the centre of the Ratana faith, but other members of the faith would like to move onto the pa.

More than eight hectares have been set aside for the new development, and plans include new insulation for the 115 existing houses.

Mr Key's spokeswoman said the problem was infrastructure for the new homes. There are currently not enough water or sewerage infrastructures to cope with the current population, let alone more houses, she said.

In his speech Mr Key advised housing minister Phil Heatley, who also attended the launch, to seriously look into how the government can help implement the infrastructural plans for the project.

Maori party co-leader Tariana Turia also attended the launch.