The government has extended its home insulation grant scheme to low-income owners.
Photo: 123RF
The Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes grants pay for half the cost of installing ceiling and underfloor insulation.
It initially targeted landlords who have low-income tenants or those with high health needs.
The government was hoping its two-year programme would lead to 20,000 more homes being made warm and dry, but after one year fewer than 4000 properties have been insulated.
Energy and Resources Minister Judith Collins said extending the programme would benefit some of New Zealand's most vulnerable households.
She said insulation reduced health risks caused by cold, damp housing.
"Analysis shows the avoided health costs to New Zealand from insulating a house are on average $854 a year for Community Services Card holders."
The grants will be available until the end of June 2018.