Fox opposes state houses sell-off

The Maori Party's new co-leader Marama Fox has described the Government's plan to sell off thousands of state houses as 'disappointing'.

Ms Fox was elected unopposed at the weekend to replace Tariana Turia and was officially endorsed yesterday.

Prime Minister John Key has signalled the Government wants to sell up to 20,000 of the 69,000 state houses.

But Ms Fox said the Government should not avoid the responsibility of providing housing for the most vulnerable.

"There needs to be responsibility and an onus of care by the state to ensure that our people are not sleeping in cars. And, so yes, there's an opportunity for Maori to get involved, but I don't think the Government should be abdicating its responsibility."

Ms Fox said iwi should take a leading role in providing social housing.