The Acting Prime Minister is astonished at Auckland Council's plans for its own Statue of Liberty.

Mayor Phil Goff believes a proposed 50-metre statue to welcome visitors to Auckland could become as iconic as New York's Lady Liberty.

The council's earmarked one million dollars for the design and development.

But Winston Peters told Mike Hosking he isn't convinced with the council's spending priorities.

"I would have thought that our obligation is to build 30, 40, 50,000 houses before we start putting a new monument on a hill."

LISTEN TO WINSTON PETERS TALK WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE