The Housing Minister's being applauded for his latest move to help people own their own home

Phil Twyford's confirmed he's working on a shared equity scheme where the Government - or private investors - will start buying homes in partnership with lower income New Zealanders.

It's aimed at targeting the missing middle - those who can't afford Kiwibuild homes, but earn too much for social housing.

New Zealand Property Institute CEO Ashley Church is welcoming the initiative.

He says as an idea it's probably overdue, and needs to be part of a suite of measures to be successful.