He has also asked the Treasury for advice on how current measures – such as the brightline test and the ring fencing of rental losses – are working, with a view to possibly expanding them.
Robertson announced today that he has written to the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Adrian Orr, asking him if the bank would take a more active role in cooling New Zealand's overheated housing market.
The move, Robertson hopes, will help bring about a period of "sustained moderation" to New Zealand's housing market.
At the unveiling of the Government's updated books this afternoon, Robertson said New Zealand's stronger-than-expected economic performance has forced house prices up.
REINZ has reported that there has been a 20 percent year-on-year increase in house prices and the Government has come under enormous pressure to cool the market down.
Today, Robertson took the significant step of writing to Orr, asking the central bank to consider expanding its remit to include the stability of the housing market in its job description.
"I am concerned that the recent rapid escalation in house prices, and forecasts for this to continue, are affecting the Government's ability to meet the economic objectives set out in the Remit," he said in the letter.
In a separate press release, he said that given the extended period of low interest rates, "now is the time to consider how the Reserve Bank may contribute to a stable housing market".
The Reserve Bank acts independently, meaning it does not take its instructions from the Government.
In its agreement with the Government, the Reserve Bank's job is to control inflation, employment and financial stability.
Robertson has asked Orr to add "stability in the house prices" to the Reserve Bank's remit.
"I want to be clear," Robertson said, "I am not proposing any changes to the mandate or the independence of the Reserve Bank," he said.
The ball is now in Orr's court – it's up to him and his committee to decide if he will take up the Government's call.
In his letter, Robertson made it clear he wants an answer from Orr soon – "would request that you give it your earliest possible consideration".
As well as dropping the official cash rate (OCR) to help stimulate the economy throughout Covid-19, the Reserve Bank has been pumping tens of billions of dollars into the economy through the buying back of bonds – this is often called quantitative easing, or money printing.
Economists have pointed to both these forms of stimulus as the main reasons house prices have been soaring, while the rest of the economy is in recession.
Despite this, Robertson said he was not blaming the Reserve Bank for the rapid house price inflation and said the central bank had served New Zealanders "incredibly well".
The Government has largely focused on the demand-side of the housing equation, saying it was looking into change its rules around first home buyer subsidies.
Robertson said today that the Government was looking at "everything we can" when it comes to the supply of houses.
For example, he has asked the Treasury to provide him with advice around extending the brightline test, which at the moment means people have to play tax on a dwelling if it's sold within five years of its purchase.
Meanwhile, the Crown accounts show the amount of debt the Government has taken on to combat the pandemic is $750 million lower than expected, while the tax take is $172m higher than had been forecast.
The numbers show an updated version of the Government's books, compared to the Pre-Economic Fiscal and Economic Update (PREFU).
Given the nature of the economic environment, the Treasury's numbers have been jumping around as the Government quantifies the impact of Covid-19.
Treasury Secretary Caralee McLiesh said the numbers show the economy has "proven more resilient that we expected in the Budget."
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Comments
Still waiting for the 100,000 houses. They would really help.
It takes 4 years to train a carpenter, an electrician, a plumber/gasfitter takes 5 years. It also takes time to build capacity in the support industries, producing framing and claddings and linings and roofing and so on. All these things were run down by our National Govt over 9 years of incompetent rule during a so called "rock star" economy in which they were constantly in budget deficit. Oh and did I mention, they consistently denied that there was a housing crisis throughout this period.
They left their bankrupt legacy to the incoming coalition Govt 3 years ago which was immediately hamstrung by Winston Peters on any move to address the crisis.
Nobody knew the country was in such bad shape in so far as the construction industry is concerned.
The houses will come. And that annoys you. Labour will succeed where National failed dismally, although you'll continue to whine and whinge and not contribute anything constructive, typical of your ilk.
"...looking at "everything we can" when it comes to the supply of houses. For example, he has asked the Treasury to provide him with advice around extending the brightline test... "
But the brightline test has nothing to do with supply. It has to do with demand, and then only demand from investors, who might be less interested if they have to pay tax on capital gain when they sell. Still. I doubt it because rents are rising (supply!) and prices are still rising (supply!) so a tax on a profit, is still a profit. They won't be deterred. Tinkering with legislation that changes margins for investors doesn't change the fact we have a supply problem, not a demand one.
Not enough houses is the problem, no matter who owns them. Legislation that encourages literally building more bedrooms is the answer. Address supply.
Legislative GOALS: Encourage densification, competitively priced building products, modern and efficient design, sound building practices, reduced compliance costs, timeliness from design to move in day, transparent and predictable processes, discourage land banking, culture shift away from quarter acre, encourage public, rather than private, leisure spaces.
#1 Restrict demand. No more immigration until the Kiwi Diaspora come home. No foreign ownership, sorry our people take precedence.
#2 Make interest illegal. Put a time limit on loans. Seven years. Kill the overheated loan market driving the house market. The only winner are banks. Be happy when your house price halves as then your grandkids have a chance at getting that birthrate up.
#3 Delete resource management and other officious building laws. Ridiculous. Punish offenders, don't treat everyone as offenders. Destroy the consenting cottage-industry leeches.
#4 Scale desire. Encourage tiny homes on rural plots. Get people out of urban nightmare.
The banks are the problem, not the solution. Some sort of debt write-off required.
Gee, who'd of thought that lowering interest rates would push house prices up again.. Over 26% of new loans are going to investors look to buy additional properties. Maybe we should set a limit as to how many houses we can own. Like 2 or 3. I know of people that have 7 or more.! Now about that nasty Capital Gains Tax? That'll sort out the flippers looking for a quick cash grab. Interest rates will not stay at 1% for the next 30 years, that's a given.