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# Face of the Day
- URL: https://goodoil.news/face-of-the-day-1527/
- Published: 2026-07-08T18:30:10.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-08T18:30:09.000Z
- Description: The new building on Wellesley Road was bought from a private developer under the former Labour government. MCERT – which the former housing ministry has been folded in to – was trying to sell it to a community housing provider, but had been unsuccessful so far.
- Author: Good Oil Staff
- Tags: Face of the Day

> Housing Minister Chris Bishop is extremely frustrated that a government-owned block of 30 flats in Napier has been sitting empty for a year, and he’s told officials to do something about it.  
>  
> Meanwhile, there are more than 450 households on Napier’s social housing waitlist, frontline organisations are reporting growing numbers of rough sleepers and the government’s giving support services [extra money to help them](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/598449/government-giving-community-organisations-14-point-5-million-to-support-people-experiencing-homelessness?ref=goodoil.news).  
>  
> The new building on Wellesley Road was bought from a private developer under the former Labour government.  
>  
> The Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) – which the former housing ministry has been folded in to – was trying to sell it to a community housing provider, but had been unsuccessful so far.  
>  
> “I am as annoyed about this as locals are,” Bishop said.  
>  
> “I am extremely frustrated that many months later the units remain unoccupied while there is real housing need in the area.”  
>  
> Officials were working on a solution, he said.  
>  
> “I have made my expectations extremely clear.”  
>  
> RNZ

[Read More](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/684450/extremely-frustrated-government-struggles-to-find-buyer-for-napier-flats-sitting-empty-for-year?ref=goodoil.news)