"When we came into government we not only pledged to reverse the large-scale sell-off of public housing, we also undertook to improve the quality of public housing available to New Zealanders and their whānau through safer, warmer, drier, healthier homes, and this investment in the Kāinga Ora Retrofit Programme honours that pledge."
Improvements include full insulation, double glazing, improved air-tightness, ventilation and new heating.
Work on some homes may also include upgrading bathrooms and kitchens, converting homes to a more modern, open plan living layout, and making the homes more accessible.
"This will bring these older homes up to, or above the new build and Homestar 6 standards and will meet the Government's Healthy Homes Standards.
"It also gives these properties, most of which were built in the 1950s and 1960s, a new lease on life meaning they'll provide quality public housing for another 50 years."
Work on these homes is expected to start later this year.