By ELEANOR BLACK and NZPA
Like flowers, state houses should be turned to face the sun, says Labour MP Graham Kelly.
The politician believes state houses which don't already take advantage of warm, natural light should be lifted and pivoted to face north.
The cost would be a minimum of $7000 a house, construction experts say.
People who actually live in state houses think Mr Kelly may have been standing out in the sun too long.
"He's off his tree," said Rotorua woman Anne Samson, who has lived in her cheerful yellow state house for 1 1/2 years. "What a waste of money."
Ms Samson admits many state houses are not as warm as hers, which has been made cosier with the addition of throw rugs on the hardwood floor and a gas heater, but she reckons enlarging windows or laying carpets would be a much cheaper option than spinning homes like tops.
While construction experts say some state houses are too close to the edges of their sections to be moved, Mr Kelly has suggested it might be possible to shift the road instead, to ensure all homes face north.
But another Rotorua woman, Desiree Hodges, thinks that is preposterous.
She is content with her eggshell blue house - where the sun peeps into her bedroom first thing in the morning and keeps the house warm all day.
She couldn't imagine a politician taking an interest in her living situation.
"You've got to be joking. You tell him to pay for it."
Ms Hodges thought it would be much more practical to repaper the walls in light colours - or decorate the houses to make them more appealing.
Building Industry Association chief executive Bill Porteous said Mr Kelly's proposal could prove more expensive than estimated.
Drainage and electricity would have to be reconnected and concrete foundations moved.
MP puts spin on state houses
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