Introduced on July 1 the bill will give ministers  the authority to transfer Housing NZ Corporation properties and act on the behalf of the corporation or any of its subsidiaries. Received its first reading on August 18 and sent to the Social Services Committee. Strongly opposed by Opposition Parties on grounds of “privatisation” and exemptions for housing sales from the Public Works Act and other “offer back” provisions. Report due by February 18. Reported back on December 14 with minor amendments. Strongly opposed by Labour, the Greens and NZ First saying it gave ministers “extraordinary and unprecedented powers to directly negotiate the terms of the disposal of publicly owned assets”. Second reading completed on February 16 and remaining stages on February 18. Still opposed by Labour, the Greens and NZ First. Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill