‘Run up white flag’ on state house sales, Labour urges

The Government’s decision not to go ahead with a state house transfer in Horowhenua shows it should ‘‘run up the white flag’’ on its sell-off plans, Labour says. Housing NZ Minister Bill English announced the Government would not transfer the ownership of 249 properties, due to ‘‘complexities’’ during consultation with iwi. Labour housing spokesman Phil Twyford said it was ‘‘untenable’’ for the Government to sell off state houses during a housing crisis.