Some concern over just who will build the 34,000 houses the government has promised for Auckland over the next decade.

AUT Professor of Construction Engineering John Tookey says we're going to need lots more people with the right skills.

Professor John Tookey told Rachel Smalley 2,000 Polish plumbers won't be coming here to help with the shortfall.

"We would need to import these skills from elsewhere, or alternatively invest in capacity development here in New Zealand."

Professor Tookey said the new plan would mean an extra 2,400 houses per year, when we're already building at a rate of up to 8,000 per annum.