Hundreds of empty state houses in Wellington, while 523 wait for new home

• Hundreds of Housing New Zealand properties in the Wellington region are empty, while hundreds of people wait for a new home.

A combination of earthquake strengthening, methamphetamine contamination and “pending sales” is keeping 486 state homes in the area out of the hands of the 523 people that need them.

Across New Zealand, 2486 houses are vacant, and 5012 would-be tenants crowd the waiting list.

READ MORE VIA STUFF

VIRGINIA FALLON/ FAIRFAX NZ