Maurice Williamson

Wellington, May 27 NZPA - Three local authorities have voted to support the Government's leaky homes package, Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson says.

He told Parliament today it was "very, very good news" that Wellington, Waitakere and North Shore city councils last night voted unanimously to back the package.

Under its terms the Government and councils will each pay 25 percent of the cost of repairing leaky homes, with the owners paying the rest.

Mr Williamson said the three councils represented 31 percent of affected homes, and another two affected councils would be voting tonight.

He said a huge number of inquiries had been received from owners of leaky homes and applications were pouring in.