New Housing Minister Phil Twyford isn't ruling out buying more motels to house the country's homeless.
Mr Twyford has been a harsh critic of the former Government's spending on motels - an average of almost $100,000 per night - and he says he hopes to have that down after six months.
But he admits it's a big challenge and he has an open mind about buying more motels.
"I won't rule it out because I want to look at all the possible options," he says.
"Obviously we have to deal with the supply and demand forces that have created such havoc in the housing market."
The Government also plans to pass its healthy homes bill by Christmas.
Mr Twyford calls it the "single most important public health reform", with landlords required to commit to minimum standards for keeping their rentals warm and dry.
He's confident it won't discourage people from renting out their homes.
"We think it will make a big difference without being too expensive or too cumbersome for the landlords to meet their obligations," he says.
He says the change won't go as far as the Wellington city council's rental Warrant of Fitness policy.
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