National's resorting to abuse, after Labour hit a Government sore point over affordable housing.

Andrew Little's released information showing that just 18 houses within fast-tracked Auckland special housing areas, went to first home buyers.

Housing Minister Nick Smith contends the data is meaningless, because all the Government can control is whether the houses are affordable, which he says they are.

"Mr Little is almost being Trump-like in his disconnect from reality."

Dr Smith said affordability is such a value-laden term, that the data will always be inaccurate.

"The affordability criteria that he's wanting to use is one that not just measures the price of the house but the number of people in the home, and what their incomes are. Now those data are changing continuously."

Finance Minister Bill English said it's easy to manipulate the stats, depending on how the terms are defined.

"Affordable is to a large extent in the eyes of the beholder. As we pointed out interest rates are half what they were in 2008, so what people regard as affordable is up to them."