50,000 extra homes insulated

The number of houses retrofitted with insulation has hit 50,000 and Prime Minister John Key will attend an event on Thursday to celebrate the milestone.

The initial target was 27,500 but the scheme, which began last July, has proved far more popular than expected.

It is open to all New Zealanders with houses built before 2000 and provides up to $1300 towards a third of the cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation and a $500 grant for clean heating.

It has funding until 2013.